Emperor Naruhito offered greetings on Thursday in his first New Year's address since taking the throne, expressing hope for a peaceful year without natural disasters and for the happiness of people around the world.

Accompanied by his wife, Empress Masako, and other members of the imperial family, the 59-year-old, who ascended to the chrysanthemum throne on May 1 following his father's abdication, waved to thousands of well-wishers from behind the windows of a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

"I hope this year will be a peaceful and good year without natural disasters," the emperor said, expressing sympathy for those hit by flooding and powerful typhoons in 2019.