This photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, shows Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace Small Hall in Tokyo Nov. 27, 2024, before the empress turned 61 on her birthday on Monday, Dec. 9. (Imperial Household Agency via AP)

This photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, shows Japan's Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace Small Hall in Tokyo Nov. 27, 2024, before the empress turned 61 on her birthday on Monday, Dec. 9. (Imperial Household Agency via AP)

This photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, shows Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace Small Hall in Tokyo Nov. 27, 2024, before the empress turned 61 on her birthday on Monday, Dec. 9. (Imperial Household Agency via AP)