Japanese emperor, on birthday, expresses coronavirus concern, looks forward to Olympics

Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks during a news conference on the occasion of his birthday in Tokyo, Japan February 21, 2020. Picture taken February 21, 2020. Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Naruhito said on Sunday that he was looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics in summer but that he was concerned about the spread of the new coronavirus, which has killed three in Japan and is slowly spreading across the country.

Naruhito, who turned 60 on Sunday, ascended the throne last May after his father Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in two centuries to abdicate. The new emperor and his wife Empress Masako, 56, a former diplomat, have put a more relaxed face on one of the world's oldest monarchies.