天皇陛下御在位三十年記念式典 陛下おことば
在位三十年に当たり，政府並びに国の内外から寄せられた祝意に対し，深く感謝いたします。
即位から30年，こと多く過ぎた日々を振り返り，今日こうして国の内外の祝意に包まれ，このような日を迎えることを誠に感慨深く思います。
平成の30年間，日本は国民の平和を希求する強い意志に支えられ，近現代において初めて戦争を経験せぬ時代を持ちましたが，それはまた，決して平坦な時代ではなく，多くの予想せぬ困難に直面した時代でもありました。世界は気候変動の周期に入り，我が国も多くの自然災害に襲われ，また高齢化，少子化による人口構造の変化から，過去に経験のない多くの社会現象にも直面しました。島国として比較的恵まれた形で独自の文化を育ててきた我が国も，今，グローバル化する世界の中で，更に外に向かって開かれ，その中で叡智を持って自らの立場を確立し，誠意を持って他国との関係を構築していくことが求められているのではないかと思います。
天皇として即位して以来今日まで，日々国の安寧と人々の幸せを祈り，象徴としていかにあるべきかを考えつつ過ごしてきました。しかし憲法で定められた象徴としての天皇像を模索する道は果てしなく遠く，これから先，私を継いでいく人たちが，次の時代，更に次の時代と象徴のあるべき姿を求め，先立つこの時代の象徴像を補い続けていってくれることを願っています。
天皇としてのこれまでの務めを，人々の助けを得て行うことができたことは幸せなことでした。これまでの私の全ての仕事は，国の組織の同意と支持のもと，初めて行い得たものであり，私がこれまで果たすべき務めを果たしてこられたのは，その統合の象徴であることに，誇りと喜びを持つことのできるこの国の人々の存在と，過去から今に至る長い年月に，日本人がつくり上げてきた，この国の持つ民度のお陰でした。災害の相次いだこの30年を通し，不幸にも被災の地で多くの悲しみに遭遇しながらも，健気に耐え抜いてきた人々，そして被災地の哀しみを我が事とし，様々な形で寄り添い続けてきた全国の人々の姿は，私の在位中の忘れ難い記憶の一つです。
今日この機会に，日本が苦しみと悲しみのさ中にあった時，少なからぬ関心を寄せられた諸外国の方々にも，お礼の気持ちを述べたく思います。数知れぬ多くの国や国際機関，また地域が，心のこもった援助を与えてくださいました。心より深く感謝いたします。
平成が始まって間もなく，皇后は感慨のこもった一首の歌を記しています。
ともどもに平らけき代を築かむと諸人のことば国うちに充つ
平成は昭和天皇の崩御と共に，深い悲しみに沈む諒闇の中に歩みを始めました。そのような時でしたから，この歌にある「言葉」は，決して声高に語られたものではありませんでした。
しかしこの頃，全国各地より寄せられた「私たちも皇室と共に平和な日本をつくっていく」という静かな中にも決意に満ちた言葉を，私どもは今も大切に心にとどめています。
在位三十年に当たり，今日このような式典を催してくださった皆様に厚く感謝の意を表し，ここに改めて，我が国と世界の人々の安寧と幸せを祈ります。
（宮内庁）
Address by His Majesty the Emperor on the Occasion of the Commemoration Ceremony of the thirtieth Anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor’s Accession to the Throne
On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of my reign, I would like to offer my deep gratitude to the government of Japan and to the people both in Japan and overseas for the congratulatory messages I received.
As I look back on the great number of events that have gone by since I ascended the throne thirty years ago, I am deeply moved to be able to mark this day today blessed by the many felicitations from people both in Japan and overseas.
During the three decades of the Heisei era, Japan has been free of war for the first time in modern current history, supported by the strong desire of the people for peace. However, the thirty years was by no means an uneventful time as our country encountered many unanticipated challenges. As the world entered a cycle of climate change, Japan, too, has been struck by innumerable natural disasters. Our country also faced a great deal of social phenomena never experienced before due to the demographic changes arising from the aging population and the declining birthrate. As an island nation under comparatively favorable circumstances, our country has been able to cultivate a distinctive culture. Today, in this globalizing world, however, I believe that Japan needs to open up to the world further, establish its own place in that world with wisdom, and build relations with other countries with sincerity and good will.
Ever since ascending the throne as Emperor and to this day, I have spent my days praying for peace in the country and for the happiness of the people and thinking about my role as the symbol of the State. However, this path of seeking the ideal role of the Emperor as the symbol of the State as designated by the Constitution of Japan, has been an endless one. It is my hope that those who will succeed me will continue to seek the ideal role of the symbol of the State in the next era and the era after that, and that they will continue to add and complement to the role of the Emperor as the symbol of the State.
I consider myself most fortunate to have always been able to perform my duties as the Emperor with the help of the people. The work that I have carried out was only made possible with the approval and support of various government organizations. I have been able to fulfill my duties thanks to the people of Japan, whose symbol of unity I take pride and joy in being, and the cultural level of this country which has been nurtured by the people of Japan over many years, from the past to the present.
Throughout the past three decades, our country has been fraught with many natural disasters, and the people who had the misfortune of living in those disaster-stricken communities encountered and had to endure much grief, which they have done so bravely. At the same time, across the nation, people have shared in the sorrow of those communities as if it were their own and stood by their fellow citizens in various ways. These are among my most unforgettable memories during my reign.
I would like to take this opportunity today to also express my gratitude to the people of other countries who showed great concern when Japan was in the midst of suffering and sorrow. Countless countries, international organizations and regions gave us their gracious and kind assistance. To those people I offer my deepest heartfelt gratitude.
Soon after the start of the Heisei era, the Empress composed a moving waka poem:
Tomodomo ni
Tairakeki yo o
Kizukan to
Morohito no kotoba
Kuniuchi ni mitsu.
“Together with you
We’ll forge a peaceful era”
So say the people
Ah, now the country is filled>
And blessed by these words.
The Heisei era began with a period of deep mourning for the demise of the late Emperor Showa. As such, the words in this poem were by no means loudly proclaimed. But to this day, we remember and hold precious the messages that we received from across the country at the time, filled with the quiet but firm determination to “build a peaceful Japan together with the Imperial family.”
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people who organized this ceremony today to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of my accession to the throne. Finally, once again, I pray for peace and happiness of all the people in Japan and around the world.
（The Imperial Household Agency）
記念式典中継動画
