Japan's Emperor Naruhito delivering his first New Year's address beside Empress Masako during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan 2, 2020. - AFP
TOKYO (AFP): Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday (Jan 2) he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne to tens of thousands of well-wishers.
"I'm glad to celebrate the New Year together with you," Naruhito told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting Banzai, meaning "long life".
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