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As part of their annual New Year celebrations, members of the Japanese Imperial Family, including retired Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, joined Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako as they waved to well-wishers and the Emperor gave his first New Year’s Speech, after his Accession and Enthronement last year, from the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on the morning of January 2nd, during the first of six Audiences throughout the day. On the 1st, the Imperial Family hosted a glittering New Year’s Reception for dignitaries.