Emperor wishes for peaceful, spiritually rich year

January 2, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Emperor Akihito expressed his wish that this year will be peaceful and spiritually rich, in his New Year address to well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday.

This was the first New Year greeting to the public by the Emperor since the government last month adopted an ordinance setting the date for his abdication as April 30, 2019.

"I wish you a happy New Year," the Emperor said while appearing on the balcony of the palace's Chowaden reception hall together with Empress Michiko and other members of the Imperial Family.

"I am glad to celebrate the New Year with all of you," the Emperor said, adding, "I wish that this year will be a peaceful and spiritually rich year to as many people as possible."

Among the other Imperial Family members present were Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, the second son of the Emperor, and his wife, Princess Kiko.

This is going to the last appearance at a New Year celebration event at the palace by Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino, as she is slated to get married in November this year and leave the Imperial Family. Jiji Press