Japan’s emperor, his family greet New Year well-wishers

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to a crowd of flag-waving New Year’s well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday. Standing with his wife, Masako and the rest of the royal family, he wished a happy new year to people lined up below the palace balcony, some shouting, “banzai” - Japanese for “long live.” The annual New Year’s appearance by the emperor and his family draws huge crowds to the palace’s usually cloistered grounds in central Tokyo. People stand in long lines, weathering the cold, for each of the five appearances during the day, as the imperial family remains relatively popular.  The emperor does not have political power but holds symbolic significance for Japan.