Japan Emperor Wishes for Better Year for People

January 2, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Emperor Akihito expressed his wish for a better year in his New Year address to a large crowd of people gathered at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo on Wednesday.

This was the final New Year greeting to the public by the Emperor in the current Heisei era, which will end when he abdicates on April 30.

"I'm truly happy to celebrate the New Year with you under a clear sky," the Emperor said as he appeared on the balcony of the palace's Chowaden reception hall along with Empress Michiko and other members of the Imperial Family.

"I hope this year will be a better year for as many people as possible," the Emperor said, adding, "I pray, at the beginning of the year, for peace and happiness of the people in our country and the world."

The Imperial Family members attending the customary New Year greeting event included Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, as well as Prince Akishino, the Emperor's second son, and his wife, Princess Kiko.

The appearances of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko before visitors to the palace were the last before the Emperor passes the throne to the Crown Prince, his eldest son.

People wishing to catch a glimpse of the Imperial couple made a long line at the main gate of the palace from early in the morning.

This year, members of the Imperial Family will greet the public at the palace on Oct. 26, four days after the "Sokuirei Seiden no Gi" ceremony to proclaim the new Emperor's accession. But the current Emperor and

Empress, who will be given the titles of "joko" and "jokogo," respectively, after retirement, are not expected to take part in this greeting event.

In a ceremony on Tuesday, the Emperor and Empress received New Year's greetings from other members of the Imperial Family, and also from the heads of the administrative, judicial and legislative branches. Jiji Press