Japan's Empress Masako marked her 62nd birthday on Tuesday by reflecting on the importance of peace after a year that included visits to World War II memorial sites and an official trip to Mongolia with Emperor Naruhito.Having spent this year visiting places scarred by war, the empress said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, "I reflected deeply on the many precious lives lost in various parts of the world, including my own country. At each site, I offered my heartfelt condolences to those who perished."The imperial couple's "memorial visits" began in April to Iwoto Is…READ FULL ARTICLE
