Emperor offers New Year's greetings to well-wishers

Rabu, 02 Januari 2013 14:01

(TOKYO-Kyodo) Emperor Akihito extended his New Year's greetings Wednesday to well-wishers who gathered at the Imperial Palace while offering words of encouragement to people still trying to rebuild their lives after the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

"It was encouraging to see many people going to the disaster-affected areas and making efforts to help afflicted people," the emperor said from a balcony of the Chowa-Den wing of the palace in central Tokyo.

"I hope that this will be a better year even slightly for every citizen," said the emperor, joined by imperial family members including Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako.

Prince Mikasa, the 97-year-old uncle of the emperor, also attended the annual event, appearing before the public for the first time since he underwent heart surgery in July.

A total of five greeting sessions are scheduled for the day.