On January 2, Emperor Naruhito and his family greeted crowds of well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during the annual New Year's event. The emperor expressed concern over last year's natural disasters and wished for a peaceful year. Meanwhile, a man in his 20s stripped naked during the event and was quickly restrained by security.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and 14 other imperial family members appeared for the first of five New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on January 2, starting around 10:10 a.m. They waved from the balcony to a large crowd of about 60,000 people, some shouting "banzai," meaning "long live." The event draws huge crowds annually to the palace grounds, despite the cold weather.
In a pre-released statement, the emperor noted that last year marked 80 years since the end of World War II, fought in the name of his grandfather Hirohito. He stressed peace efforts amid ongoing global conflicts. "I deeply feel it’s important to continue with efforts among people for dialogue, trying to deepen mutual understanding, so we can build a world of peace," he said.
The emperor also addressed recent disasters including earthquakes, heavy rains, forest fires, and heavy snowfall. "I know there are many difficulties, but I wish everyone a good and moderate year," he added during the event. Prince Hisahito, 19, son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attended for the first time as a first-year student at the University of Tsukuba, joining all five appearances. Princess Aiko, the emperor's only child, was present amid debates over male-only throne inheritance rules. Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko appeared for three morning sessions.
During the greeting, a man in his 20s in the front row removed his clothes after the emperor's address, climbed a barrier, and was immediately restrained by imperial guards and Tokyo police, who wrapped him in a blanket. Investigative sources told broadcaster TBS that he had announced his intention to streak on social media. The 2024 event was canceled due to the Noto Peninsula earthquake that killed hundreds, while 2021 and 2022 were axed because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, visitor limits were lifted, though infection precautions were urged.
