(1)Emperor greets people, crown princess takes part

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the imperial family wave to well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace on Jan. 2 as they appear for an annual New Year's greeting.

(2)Emperor greets people, crown princess takes part

TOKYO, Japan - Princess Sayako and Crown Princess Masako wave to well-wishers as they appear on the balcony of the Chowaden Palace with other imperial family members for annual New Year's greetings on Jan. 2. Crown Princess Masako was absent last year due to health reasons.

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito speaks to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009.

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009.

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito speaks to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009, with Empress Michiko standing by his side.

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009.

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Imperial family members -- (from L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko -- wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009.

(1)Emperor wishes happiness to people in New Year's greeting

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito waves at well-wishers who gathered at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2. ''I am truly pleased to celebrate the New Year with you. I wish happiness to people in our country as well as the whole world,'' the emperor said in a speech from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace.

(2)Emperor wishes happiness to people in New Year's greeting

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave at well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace on Jan. 2.

(1)Emperor wishes happiness to people in world in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito waves at the well-wishers at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2. In a speech to about 16,460 well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace, the emperor said, ''I am very pleased to celebrate the new year with everybody. I wish happiness to people in our country as well as the whole world.''

Over 70,000 well-wishers greet imperial family

TOKYO, Japan - More than 70,000 well-wishers gather at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2 to offer New Year's greetings to Emperor Akihito (6th from far L) and other members of the imperial family. The emperor, flanked by Empress Michiko (7th from far L) and other imperial family members, appeared on the Chowaden palace balcony a total of seven times -- three in the morning and four in the afternoon -- to greet the well-wishers, many of whom waved Japanese flags.

(2)Emperor greets people, crown princess takes part

TOKYO, Japan - Princess Sayako and Crown Princess Masako wave to well-wishers as they appear on the balcony of the Chowaden Palace with other imperial family members for annual New Year's greetings on Jan. 2. Crown Princess Masako was absent last year due to health reasons. (Kyodo)

TOKYO, Japan - Princess Sayako and Crown Princess Masako wave to well-wishers as they appear on the balcony of the Chowaden Palace with other imperial family members for annual New Year's greetings on Jan. 2. Crown Princess Masako was absent last year due to health reasons. (Kyodo)

(1)Emperor wishes happiness to people in world in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito waves at the well-wishers at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2. In a speech to about 16,460 well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace, the emperor said, ''I am very pleased to celebrate the new year with everybody. I wish happiness to people in our country as well as the whole world.'' (Kyodo)

(1)Emperor greets people, crown princess takes part

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the imperial family wave to well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace on Jan. 2 as they appear for an annual New Year's greeting. (Kyodo)

Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 82

(From L) Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, his wife Crown Princess Masako, Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko stand on the balcony at the Chowaden Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2014, to appear in front of general well-wishers celebrating the emperor's 82th birthday. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 82

(From L) Japanese Crown Princess Masako, her husband Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, his wife Princess Kiko and Princesses Mako and Kako - the daughters of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko - stand on the balcony at the Chowaden Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2014, to appear in front of general well-wishers celebrating the emperor's 82th birthday. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 82

Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko wave to general well-wishers from the balcony at the Chowaden Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2014, as he turns 82. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 82

Japanese Emperor Akihito addresses general well-wishers from the balcony at the Chowaden Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2014, as he turns 82. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(2)Emperor wishes happiness to people in New Year's greeting

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave at well-wishers from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace on Jan. 2. (Kyodo)

(1)Emperor wishes happiness to people in New Year's greeting

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito waves at well-wishers who gathered at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2. ''I am truly pleased to celebrate the New Year with you. I wish happiness to people in our country as well as the whole world,'' the emperor said in a speech from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace. (Kyodo)

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito speaks to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009, with Empress Michiko standing by his side. (Kyodo)

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito speaks to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009. (Kyodo)

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009. (Kyodo)

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009. (Kyodo)

Emperor Akihito greets public on 76th birthday

TOKYO, Japan - Imperial family members -- (from L to R) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko -- wave to well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 76th birthday, from the Chowaden balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2009. (Kyodo)

Over 70,000 well-wishers greet imperial family

TOKYO, Japan - More than 70,000 well-wishers gather at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2 to offer New Year's greetings to Emperor Akihito (6th from far L) and other members of the imperial family. The emperor, flanked by Empress Michiko (7th from far L) and other imperial family members, appeared on the Chowaden palace balcony a total of seven times -- three in the morning and four in the afternoon -- to greet the well-wishers, many of whom waved Japanese flags.