Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will deliver a public New Year’s greeting on January 2.

The emperor, Empress Masako and other imperial family members stand on the balcony of the imperial palace to greet the public in the annual event.

The event was cancelled in 2024 following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that hit Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s day.

The imperial family will make an appearance three times in the morning and twice in the afternoon. The Imperial Household Agency expects about 20,000 visitors each time.

It will be the first time since pre-pandemic 2020 that the public greeting will take place without reservation in advance.