Japan Emperor, Empress host garden party for 1,800 guests; attendees include Mangaka, former Women’s softball coach

The Yomiuri ShimbunThe Emperor and Empress attend the spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Motoakasaka, Tokyo, on Tuesday with other members of the Imperial family. - Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun

TOKYO: The Emperor and Empress hosted the spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Motoakasaka, Tokyo, on Tuesday (April 22) afternoon, welcoming about 1,800 guests.

The Imperial couple and other members of the Imperial family simultaneously followed three separate paths among the guests, as a measure to prevent heatstroke and increase the guests’ opportunities to exchange words with members of the Imperial family.