Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and members of the imperial family greeted New Year well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday, waving from the palace balcony as people shouted “banzai.”
Standing with his wife, Masako, and the rest of the royal family, Naruhito wished a happy new year to people lined up below the balcony. The palace’s usually cloistered grounds draw large crowds in central Tokyo for the annual appearance.
People stand in long lines, weathering the cold, for each of the five appearances during the day. The appearance has been a mainstay of the imperial family’s New Year tradition, with the family remaining relatively popular among the public.
Naruhito also made remarks grounded in his pre-released statement, including reference to last year marking 80 years since the end of World War II. In his comments and statement, he stressed the importance of the message of peace, noting that war and strife continued in parts of the world.
“I deeply feel it’s important to continue with efforts among people for dialogue, trying to deepen mutual understanding, so we can build a world of peace,” Naruhito said in the statement.
In both the statement and his comments Friday, Naruhito spoke about recent natural disasters, including earthquakes, heavy rainfall and snow, and forest fires. The remarks came as Japan continues to experience disasters that can disrupt communities across the country.
The imperial family’s annual public appearance has been canceled in some years. In 2024, it was canceled because of a New Year’s Day quake in the Noto Peninsula in central Japan that killed hundreds of people, while in 2021 and 2022 it was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Princess Aiko, the imperial couple’s only child, appeared with her parents at this year’s greeting, along with other relatives. Aiko’s presence also drew attention in connection with a national debate about rules allowing only men to inherit to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Naruhito’s nephew, Hisahito, was also present. Now taking part in adult imperial events, he is seen as a possible heir to the throne and is second in line after his father, the emperor’s brother.
Emperor emeritus Akihito, Naruhito’s father, was also there with his wife, Michiko.