On New Year's Day (January 1), a New Year's celebration ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace, and His Majesty the Emperor made a New Year's greeting, saying, "I pray for the happiness of the people and the development of the country."
The "New Year's Celebration Ceremony" is a ceremony at the beginning of the year where the Emperor and the Empress receive New Year's greetings from members of the imperial family and the Prime Minister. The ceremony was attended by members of the royal family.
In consideration of the situation caused by the new coronavirus, the Empress and other female members of the royal family refrained from wearing hair ornament tiaras as they did last year at the request of Their Majesties.
Addressing the speakers of both houses of the Diet, His Majesty the Emperor said, "At the beginning of the new year, I pray for the happiness of the people and the prosperity of the country."
From noon, foreign ambassadors stationed in Japan will also receive greetings.
On the 2nd, the New Year's general visit will be held for the first time in three years.