Emperor Naruhito expressed his wishes for the people’s well-being and the nation’s development at an annual New Year ...

More than 1,000 memorial events were held Jan. 17 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that claimed around 6,400 lives and reduced much of the port city of Kobe to ruins.

Also standing on the balcony was Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who abdicated in favor of his son in 2019, and his wife Empress Emerita Michiko, as well as Naruhito’s younger brother and his family.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved from a balcony window to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers, some shouting, ...

Emperor Naruhito and his family greeted throngs of New Year’s well-wishers from a balcony window at the Imperial Palace in ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family greeted New Year’s well-wishers who gathered at the Imperial ...