Emperor Naruhito's New Year's First Greeting: "Wishing for a Year Without Disasters"

▲The Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Empress Masako (center) along with royal officials are waving to supporters at the New Year's event held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 2nd, Emperor Naruhito offered his first New Year's greeting to the Japanese people, wishing for a year without disasters.

According to local media such as Kyodo News on the 2nd, Emperor Naruhito mentioned the significant damage caused by typhoons and heavy rains last year during the New Year's event (Ippan Sanga) attended by the general public, saying, "I hope this year will be a peaceful and good year without disasters." This year's Ippan Sanga was the first hosted by Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne in May last year.

Emperor Naruhito also said, "At the beginning of the year, I pray for the happiness of our country (Japan) and people around the world."

Emperor Naruhito made similar remarks at the New Year celebration event held inside the Imperial Palace the day before.

A large crowd formed a procession in the square in front of the Imperial Palace from early morning.

The New Year's Ippan Sanga is a New Year's greeting event where the Emperor greets the general public from the veranda of the K?kyo Ky?den in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, the Emperor's residence, usually held five times a day at one-hour intervals.

The first event, held around 10:10 a.m. that day, was attended by other members of the royal family, including the retired Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who abdicated on April 30 last year, and Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino-no-miya and his wife.

Meanwhile, about 154,000 people attended last year's New Year's Ippan Sanga, which was the last hosted by former Emperor Akihito.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.