His Majesty the Emperor celebrated his 62nd birthday on the 23rd, and a celebration was held at the Imperial Palace.
At 11:00 am, His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress were celebrated at the "Matsu no Ma" in the palace by Prime Minister Kishida, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hosoda, and representatives of foreign ambassadors.
On behalf of the participants, Prime Minister Kishida said, "I would like to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart and pray for the health of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and the prosperity of the Imperial Family."
His Majesty the Emperor said, "I am deeply grateful to all of you for your polite congratulations. I hope that you will take this opportunity to wish the happiness of the people and the development of the country, as well as the health of the heads of state of friendly countries and the happiness of the people." I was able to respond.
In the morning, His Majesty the Emperor was also celebrated by Mr. and Mrs. Akishino, the former imperial family, and the staff of the Imperial Household Agency.
On the Emperor's Birthday this year, as a countermeasure against the new coronavirus, general public visits and banquets were not held at the Imperial Palace following last year, and celebration events were also held on a reduced scale.