On October 9, 2020, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on the pandemic's economic and financial impact and the bank's response.The briefing session lasted for about an hour and took place at the imperial residence in the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo's Minato Ward.
The Governor explained to the Imperial couple the current state of the Japanese economy and recent developments on international financial markets. The Emperor and the Empress expressed hopes for the government, the Bank of Japan and people of the country to work together to overcome the difficulties. Empress Masako voiced concern over the effects on specific regions of a drop in the number of visitors from abroad.
