Emperor Emeritus Akihito, right, and Empress Emerita Michiko greet well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during a public appearance for New Years's Day with his imperial families at Imperial Palace Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Well-wishers attend a public appearance for the new year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, from left, waves with Empress Masako and Princess Aiko to well-wishers from the balcony during a public appearance for the new year's celebrations with his imperial families at Imperial Palace, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Japan's Princess Aiko waves at well-wishers from the balcony during a public appearance for the new year's celebrations with her imperial families at the Imperial Palace, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech as Empress Masako stands next to him during a public appearance for the new year's celebrations with their imperial families at the Imperial Palace, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, from left, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako wave at well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito waves to well-wishers from the balcony during a public appearance for the new year's celebrations with his imperial families at Imperial Palace, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito waves with Empress Masako to well-wishers from the balcony during a public appearance for New Year's Day with his imperial families at Imperial Palace, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)