Japanese Imperial Family Today

    On the 1st, His Majesty the Emperor, together with Her Majesty the Empress Masako, attended the New Year's Celebration Ceremony at the Imperial Palace to receive New Year's wishes from the Imperial Family and the heads of the three-party system.  Her Imperial Highness Princess Toshinomiya Aiko, the only daughter of Their Majesties, who turned 20 last December, also attended the ceremony for the first time. She entered following Their Majesties, wearing a robe décolleté and medals, in the Matsunoma room of the palace. This was Aiko's first official duty after her coming-of-age ceremony. The ceremony began around 10 a.m. Their Majesties were congratulated by the heads of the three branches of government, following the members of the Imperial Family. In the Matsu-no-ma, His Majesty was greeted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House of Councillors, to which His Majesty responded, "At the beginning of the New Year, I pray for t

  On the first day of the New Year, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan sent out a video message to start the New Year, expressing his thoughts for those who are facing the new coronavirus as he did last year. His Majesty the Emperor's video message was made in response to the fact that the New Year's General Meeting of the Imperial Family will not be held this year, as it was last year, to prevent the spread of the disease. The six-minute video, released by the Imperial Household Agency at 5:30 a.m., begins with a New Year's greeting by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. After this, His Majesty the Emperor spoke about the effects of the new coronavirus, saying that his heart breaks for the many people who have lost their jobs or fallen into 　 difficult living conditions, and that he hopes that many warm hands will be extended to those who need help. “I sincerely hope that we can overcome this difficult situation by sharing the pain and supporting each other, w