Imperial Family Gather For New Year’s Greetings at Palace

Adult members of the Japanese Imperial Family gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday, January 1, for the annual New Year’s greetings delivered to Emperor Akihito.

The Emperor and Empress led the festivities, where they received greetings for 2018 from the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; the heads of the National Diet chambers (the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors); lawmakers and foreign ambassadors listed to Japan.

This was the final year that Princess Mako, elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, will attend the New Year’s event, as she will marry in November and leave the Imperial Family. Crown Princess Masako was photographed arriving to the Palace with her husband, but did not attend the event proper.

Earlier, new photographs of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko with the Naruhito and Akishino branches of their family were released to mark the New Year.

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Tagged Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Crown Princess Masako of Japan, Emperor Akihito of Japan, Empress Michiko of Japan, New Year, Prince Akishino of Japan, Prince Hisahito of Akishino, Princess Aiko of Japan, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Ayako of Takamado, Princess Kiko of Japan, Princess Mako of Akishino, Princess Takamado of Japan, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, Princess Yōko of Mikasa.

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