The emperor received greetings from heads of the legislative, executive and judicial branches and five foreign ambassadors. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide was among them. Visitors also included the emperor’s younger sister Kuroda Sayako and her husband and Empress Masako’s parents.

Emperor Naruhito gave his birthday press conference last week, with measures against the coronavirus in place. He expressed hope for a bright future after people endure and overcome the pandemic through cooperation and sharing the pain.