Japan's emperor expresses concern about 3/11 disaster survivors on his 66th birthday

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed concern about the scars that remain for survivors of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in comments released for his 66th birthday Monday just weeks before the March 11 anniversary.

“While recovery of infrastructure has made progress, I feel that reconstruction of livelihoods and community still needs to be addressed,” Naruhito said in the remarks made last week. “As I think of those who lost their loved ones and had to cope with complete change of their living environment, I feel their scars have not healed yet ... they stay despite the passage of time."

Naruhito, Empress Masako, their daughter, Princess Aiko, and his younger brother Crown Prince Akishino's family waved from the palace balcony in an appearance to thank cheering well-wishers waving small rising-sun flags.

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami killed nearly 20,000 people, forced hundreds of thousands from their homes and caused reactor meltdowns at the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Most communities that were evacuated due to radiation have since reopened, but few people have returned due to the lack of jobs and sense of community.

Japan in April also marks the 10th anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquake that killed nearly 300 people.

Naruhito stressed the need to keep telling the lessons learned from past disasters to younger generations, while preparing for the next one. He pledged to stay close to the people, share their joys and sorrows and listen to the voices of those in disaster-affected areas, while praying for the absence of disasters.

He said he wants Aiko to follow in his footsteps and hand down history to the younger generations.

“We have raised Aiko hoping she will be a fine person as a human being and a royal member,” he said. “And I have a strong wish for her to continue to exert her strength and be active in international peacekeeping.”

Aiko, 24, is the only child between Naruhito and Masako and cannot become a monarch. She must leave her royal status if she marries a commoner under Japan's male-only succession rule that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports and seeks to reinforce.

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Naruhito, center, with Empress Masako, left, and Princess Aiko, right, pose for a photo in Tokyo, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Naruhito poses for a photo in Tokyo, on Feb. 13, 2026. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Naruhito, center, talks with Empress Masako, left, and Princess Aiko, as they pose for a photo in Tokyo, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

DETROIT (AP) — Claressa Shields won a lopsided unanimous decision over Franchon Crews-Dezurn to successfully defend her undisputed heavyweight championship at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night.

Shields, fighting at home, improved to 18-0 (2 KOs), winning 100-90 on all three cards. Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super-middleweight title, fell to 10-3.

“I had to take my time tonight,” Shields said. “That's one of the toughest fights I've been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”

The fight was a rematch of Shields’ four-round unanimous-decision victory Nov. 19, 2016 in the pro debuts for both fighters, and hard feelings were obvious when a brawl broke out at Saturday’s weigh-in. Crews-Dezurn saw a doctor Sunday morning to check knee and ankle injuries, but was able to fight.

The emotion carried over to the first round, which saw both fighters throwing hard flurries. Shields, though, took control early with her superior hand speed.

The fighters had a lengthy face-to-face conversation after the final bell, but embraced at the end.

For Shields, it was the first bout of the $8 million, multi-fight deal she landed last month and drew a large crowd to Little Caesars Arena, the home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.

The co-main event between light heavyweights Atif Olberlton (14-0) and Joseph George (13-2) was stopped after one round when George collapsed in his corner. He received treatment from paramedics, but was able to leave the ring under his own power.

On the undercard, American light-heavyweight Danielle Perkins (6-1) upset Australian Che Kenneally (5-1) with a sixth-round knockout to win the WBA light-heavyweight title.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Trainers check on Joe George Jr. after he collapsed in his corner after the first round of his light heavyweight boxing match against Atif Oberlton, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)