CNN
—
Japan Emperor Naruhito A celebration was held at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace on Monday for the first time in three years, reviving an annual New Year’s tradition that was suspended during the Covid pandemic.
“Even today, wars and conflicts occur frequently around the world, and I feel deep sorrow that many people have lost their lives. I strongly feel the importance.”
The image shows the emperor and royal family standing behind glass panes in the palace Waving to the crowd below. Many citizens waved Japanese flags.
In a recap on Monday, he wished everyone a “peaceful” 2023.
His Majesty the Emperor said, “I know that there are many difficult things, but I hope that this year will be a peaceful and good year for everyone. From 2020 to 2022, Naruhito I greeted the New Year with a video message.
Naruhito was joined by Empress Masako, daughter Princess Aiko, and other family members. Under Japan’s male-only succession law, Princess Aiko is barred from becoming empress.
On Sunday, Naruhito attended a New Year’s reception with foreign ambassadors at the Imperial Palace.
For centuries, Japan’s rulers were seen as living incarnations of the gods, but after the post-war U.S. occupation of Japan, Japan introduced a new constitution that prohibited the imperial family from getting involved in politics. Naruhito’s grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, was the last Shinko.
Today, Naruhito is a national symbol rather than a head of state and does not exercise any political power.
Naruhito began his throne in 2019 after his father Akihito became the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years.
