
From left, the Emperor, Empress and their daughter Princess Aiko attend a New Year’s celebration ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Saturday.
15:47 JST, January 1, 2022
An Imperial New Year’s celebration ceremony, in which the Emperor and Empress receive New Year’s greetings from other Imperial family members and the heads of the three branches of the government, was held Saturday at the Imperial Palace. The Imperial couple’s daughter Princess Aiko attended the ceremony for the first time as she turned 20 on Dec. 1 and became an adult member of the Imperial Family.
For the second year in a row, the ceremony was scaled down because of the coronavirus pandemic, with only 233 people expected to attend. Also, female Imperial family members refrained from wearing tiaras in consideration of the hardships many members of the public are going through.
From around 10 a.m. the Emperor and Empress received greetings from members of the Imperial Family including the Crown Prince Akishino, followed by greetings from the heads of the three branches of the government including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Princess Aiko, daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attends the New Year’s celebration ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Saturday.
In response, the Emperor said: “I am delighted to celebrate the New Year together. At the beginning of the year, I pray for the happiness of the people and the development of the nation.”
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan’s Maglev Shinkansen’s Partially Completed Station Unveiled; Station Will Be Only Underground Stop Between Shinagawa, Nagoya
-
Fukuoka City School Lunch Menu with Only One Karaage Fried Chicken Draws Criticism; Mayor Vows to Improve School Meals
-
Japanese Swords Banned from Tourist Programs, Putting Damper on the ‘Samurai Experience’
-
Japan’s Emperor, Empress, Princess Aiko Visit Okinawa Pref. To Commemorate War Dead; Visit Marks 1st Since October 2022
-
Japan Railway, Logistics Firms Launch Luggage Services for Tourists One after Another
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Japanese Researchers Develop ‘Transparent Paper’ as Alternative to Plastics; New Material Is Biodegradable, Can Be Produced with Low Carbon Emissions
-
Average Retail Rice Price Up for Second Consecutive Week; More Than Double Same Period Last Year
-
Core Inflation in Japan Capital Hits 3.6%, Keeps BOJ Rate-Hike Chance Alive
-
Vietnam, Thailand Aim to Grow Rice Exports to Japan
-
Japan’s Maglev Shinkansen’s Partially Completed Station Unveiled; Station Will Be Only Underground Stop Between Shinagawa, Nagoya