Emperor Akihito offered his annual New Year's greetings to well-wishers who gathered at the Imperial Palace on Friday.
"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 delivered from the balcony of Chowaden Palace.
Some 68,100 people visited the palace to greet the Imperial family in their seven appearances Friday, the Imperial Household Agency said. The figure is down 9,600 from Jan. 2 last year.