Author: Nomadic Japan

Their Majesties’ New Year Reception is an Imperial Court event held at the Imperial Palace every January 1. In the presence of members of the Imperial Family, His Majesty the Emperor receives New Year greetings from representatives of the Japanese government and the administrative and judicial branches, as well as from the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors accredited to Japan. For this ceremony, ambassadors, representing their respective heads of state, enter the Imperial Palace in their official vehicles to convey their New Year greetings. The motorcade proceeding through the Main Gate to the Palace is conducted as part of the diplomatic…