Emperor Naruhito: Traditional New Year address in Japan is canceled

Emperor Naruhito
Traditional New Year address in Japan is canceled

Kaier Naruhito with his wife Empress Masako.

© imago images / Kyodo News

Japan is also struggling with the consequences of the corona crisis. Emperor Naruhito can now officially cancel the traditional New Year's address in Tokyo.

For many Japanese, it is the royal experience of every year: the traditional New Year's address by the imperial family at the beginning of the year. However, Emperor Naruhito (60) has now canceled the celebrations due to the corona crisis. This is reported by "Kyodo News", citing the courtyard office in Tokyo. Mainly to blame are the extremely rising numbers of infections, because of which a larger crowd should be prevented.

Tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Imperial Palace in the center of the metropolis on January 2nd, where the imperial family receives the best wishes for the New Year from their subjects and gives a short speech behind glass. It is the first time since 1990 that this event has to be canceled. At that time Japan mourned the grandfather of the current emperor. Hirohito died around a year earlier at the age of 87.

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