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ROYAL MESSAGE
TOKYO : Emperor Akihito delivered his traditional New Year address with tens of thousands of well wishers flocking to the Imperial Palace for one of the last such occasions before he abdicates next year.
It was the final New Year appearance alongside Akihito for Princess Mako, his eldest grand-daughter, who will wed her college sweetheart in November and leave the royal family.
The Imperial Palace said that more than 73,000 people attended his address, many waving small Japanese flags and shouting Banzai or ''Long Live''.
''Happy New Year. I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you,'' the emperor said in a televised speech from a glass-covered balcony at the palace, where he was flanked by Mako and other family members.
He will be the first emperor to retire -on April 30 next year -in more than two centuries in the world's oldest imperial family.
Akihito's eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, is set to ascend the throne a day later.
The palace is opened to public twice a year -on the emperor's birthday and the second day New Year for the family to greet-wishers.
TOKYO : Emperor Akihito delivered his traditional New Year address with tens of thousands of well wishers flocking to the Imperial Palace for one of the last such occasions before he abdicates next year.
It was the final New Year appearance alongside Akihito for Princess Mako, his eldest grand-daughter, who will wed her college sweetheart in November and leave the royal family.
The Imperial Palace said that more than 73,000 people attended his address, many waving small Japanese flags and shouting Banzai or ''Long Live''.
''Happy New Year. I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you,'' the emperor said in a televised speech from a glass-covered balcony at the palace, where he was flanked by Mako and other family members.
He will be the first emperor to retire -on April 30 next year -in more than two centuries in the world's oldest imperial family.
Akihito's eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, is set to ascend the throne a day later.
The palace is opened to public twice a year -on the emperor's birthday and the second day New Year for the family to greet-wishers.
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