Japan emperor wishes for peace in New Year’s appearance

In this handout photo taken Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 and released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japanese Emperor Akihito, seated third left, and Empress Michiko, seated fourth left, smile with their family members during a photo session for the New Year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. They are: Crown Prince Naruhito, seated second left, his wife, Crown Princess Masako, seated left, their daughter, Princess Aiko, top left, Prince Akishino, seated second right, his wife, Princess Kiko, seated right, their daughters, Princess Mako, top center, and Princess Kako, top right, and their son, Prince Hisahito. The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP

TOKYO, Japan—Japan’s Emperor Akihito has expressed his hopes for world peace as he appeared with his wife, Empress Michiko, two sons and grandchildren behind bullet-proof glass before thousands of well-wishers waving flags.

Akihito, scheduled to make five such appearances at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Saturday, read a New Year’s statement in which he expressed his sympathy for people displaced from their homes and still living in temporary housing after the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan.

Michiko, wearing a pinkish beige dress, waved to the crowd, estimated by public broadcaster NHK at 44,000.

Masako, wife of the crown prince who has made rare public appearances because of a stress-related illness, also joined this year’s New Year’s greeting, smiling in a deep blue dress.

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