NHK



 

Japan's Imperial Household Agency has announced that the imperial family will offer the traditional public New Year's greetings, for the first time in three years.

The agency says Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other family members plan to appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2.

But agency officials say the number of visitors will be significantly reduced in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The officials say they will only accept people who apply in advance online or by mail.

Applications will be accepted from Wednesday through November 18. Applicants must be 18 years or older, and up to two people will be invited per application.

The officials say the imperial family members will appear on the balcony three times in the morning and another three times in the afternoon. The number of visitors will be limited to about 1,500 at a time. They also say a lottery will be held if applications exceed the cap.

More than 68,700 well-wishers visited the palace for the New Year's greetings in 2020.

Sources say Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, is expected to make her first New Year's appearance. She turned 20 last December and took her place as an adult member of the Imperial family.