WORLD : Akihito Gives New Year Greetings
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TOKYO — Nearly 78,000 people waving rising sun flags visited the Imperial Palace under cloudy skies today to see Emperor Akihito appear on a balcony to extend New Year’s greetings.
It was the first time Akihito gave the traditional greetings. Last year, his appearance was canceled because of a mourning period after the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
Millions of people, meanwhile, continued to flock to Shinto shrines nationwide for New Year’s prayers for good health, better business, and success in school entrance examinations and other endeavors. The turnout, however, was smaller than last year because of bad weather.
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