Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended a ceremony for Kousho Hajime, or New Year's lectures, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 10.

This year's lecturers were Takeda Sachiko, an Osaka University professor emeritus specializing in clothing history, Yano Makoto, a Kyoto University professor emeritus versed in international economics, and Taniguchi Tadatsugu, a University of Tokyo professor emeritus on the field of immunology.

Six other members of the imperial family also attended the lectures.

Princess Aiko, daughter of the emperor and empress, took part for the second time following last year’s attendance.

The annual event features lectures by experts in the fields of human, social and natural sciences.

The tradition began during the Meiji era that lasted from 1868 to 1912.