New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Princess Kiko (far L), her younger daughter Princess Kako (2nd from L) and other imperial family members attend a lecture given by a top researcher on Jan. 9, 2015, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (far L), Empress Michiko (next to emperor) and other imperial family members attend a lecture given by a top researcher on Jan. 9, 2015, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other imperial family members attend a lecture given by a top researcher on Jan. 10, 2014, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko (next to emperor) attend a lecture from a top researcher on Jan. 10, 2014, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other imperial family members attend a lecture given by a top researcher Jan. 10, 2013, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko attend a lecture from a top researcher Jan. 10, 2013, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Lectures for the emperor

Lectures for the emperor

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other imperial family members hear lectures from a top researcher Jan. 12, 2011, during the annual ''kosho hajime no gi'' (first lecturing ceremony) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace.

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko listen to lectures on Jan. 9 from some of the country's top researchers in the year's ''kosho hajime'' (first lecturing) event at the Imperial Palace. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L at table), Empress Michiko (R at table) and other members of Japan's imperial family listen to a lecture from one of the country's top researchers on Jan. 9 in the year's ''kosho hajime'' (first lecturing) event at the Imperial Palace. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko listen to lectures on Jan. 9 from some of the country's top researchers in the year's ''kosho hajime'' (first lecturing) event at the Imperial Palace. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)(Kyodo)

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

Emperor lectured on history, business management, chemistry

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L at table), Empress Michiko (R at table) and other members of Japan's imperial family listen to a lecture from one of the country's top researchers on Jan. 9 in the year's ''kosho hajime'' (first lecturing) event at the Imperial Palace. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)(Kyodo)

New Year lecture at palace

New Year lecture at palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (far L), Empress Michiko (next to emperor) and other imperial family members attend a lecture given by a top researcher on Jan. 9, 2015, during the annual "kosho hajime no gi" (ceremony of the first lecture) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Pool photo)(Kyodo)

Lectures for the emperor

Lectures for the emperor

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other imperial family members hear lectures from a top researcher Jan. 12, 2011, during the annual ''kosho hajime no gi'' (first lecturing ceremony) event, part of the New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace. (Kyodo)