The Imperial Household Agency is taking precautions against the new coronavirus to protect the emperor and other members of the imperial family from infection as concern grows over the outbreak.
A number of imperial events have already been canceled or postponed, and more are likely to be called off in the coming weeks.
"It is supposed to be a time for the new imperial household to get into motion following a series of succession rites, so it is sad that we have to cancel one event after another," said an agency official.