Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, with Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and other Imperial Family members, attend the New Year's Greeting Ceremony in the Matsu-no-Ma state room at the Imperial Palace on January 1.
As Japan welcomed 2026, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito began the New Year in the early hours of January 1 by performing traditional Imperial court rites. In the forecourt of the Shinkaden, part of the Three Palace Sanctuaries within the Imperial Palace, he carried out the Shihohai (worship of the four directions).
Praying for the People
The Emperor offered prayers toward Ise Grand Shrine, which enshrines the imperial ancestor Amaterasu Omikami, toward the imperial mausoleums where past emperors rest, and toward the deities of the land in all directions.
He then proceeded to the Three Palace Sanctuaries to conduct the Saitansai, or New Year's Day Rite, praying for the peace and well-being of the people.
New Year Greetings
Later, Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the New Year's Greeting Ceremony at the Imperial Palace, where they received greetings from members of the Imperial Family and the heads of the three branches of government.
In the Matsu-no-Ma state room, they were first greeted by members of the Imperial Family, including Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko. They then moved with the rest of the Imperial Family to another room, where they received congratulations from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the speakers of both houses of the Diet, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and ambassadors to Japan.
On January 2, the New Year's Public Greeting was held at the Imperial Palace, with 60,140 people attending across five sessions.
Then, the Emperor performed the Genshisai rite at the Three Palace Sanctuaries, praying for the prosperity of the nation and its people on January 3. The next day, he attended the Sojihajime ceremony, where senior court priests briefed him on the rituals of Ise Grand Shrine and the Imperial Court.
Memorials and Ceremonies
On January 7, the anniversary of the passing of Emperor Showa (Hirohito), His Majesty attended the Emperor Showa Memorial Rite at the Koreiden Hall of the Three Palace Sanctuaries. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko also paid their respects, joined by Princess Aiko and other members of the Imperial Family.
That evening, the Emperor and Empress, together with Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attended the Mikagura, a ritual of sacred court music. Their Majesties remained in the Imperial Residence until late at night, when the ceremony concluded.
On the same day, an offering ceremony was also held at the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum in Hachioji, Tokyo. It was attended by Princess Kako.
End-of-Year Events
On December 26, Crown Prince Akishino and his family visited the Itabashi Art Museum in Tokyo, where they viewed the exhibition "80 Years After the War: War and Children."
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated her 31st birthday on December 29. On that day, she visited the Imperial Residence and the Sento Imperial Residence at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo to offer birthday greetings to the Emperor and Empress, Princess Aiko, and Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
Princess Hisako's Sports Engagements
On December 27, Princess Hisako of Takamado, Honorary President of the Japan Football Association, attended the Princess Takamado Trophy JFA 30th U-15 Japan Women's Football Championship and the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA 37th U-15 Japan Football Championship in Tokyo.
The following day, she attended the opening ceremony of the 104th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament at the National Stadium in Shinjuku.
Also serving as Honorary President of the Japan Badminton Association, the Princess visited Keio Arena Tokyo in Chofu on December 29 and 30 to watch the 79th All-Japan Badminton Championships.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
