1月2日、3年ぶりの新年一般参賀が皇居で行われ、天皇、皇后両陛下らが訪れた人に手を振られ、祝意に応えられました。
一般参賀はcongratulatory palace visit by the general public
➣Japan's Emperor Naruhito has extended New Year greetings to members of the public at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the first time in three years.
➣Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers from the balcony at the Imperial Palace in the return of a celebration halted for the past two years by the pandemic.
➣Emperor Naruhito offered greetings on Monday in his first New Year’s address in three years following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
※throng 群衆、ひとだかり
※well-wisher 他人の幸福を願う人、支持者
※hiatus=すき間、割れ目、中断、休止
天皇陛下は、コロナ禍などに触れ「いろいろ大変なこともあるかと思いますが、本年が皆さんにとって安らかで良い年となるよう願っています。年の始めに当たり、わが国と世界の人々の幸せを祈ります」とお言葉を述べられました。
"The spread of the coronavirus has been difficult for everyone, but I am very pleased to be able to greet you again," Naruhito told the flag-waving crowd at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. "We face many difficulties, but I hope for a peaceful and good New Year for all, and as the year begins, I pray for the happiness of people in Japan and around the world," he added.
感染防止対策で今年は事前抽選となりました。（約10万2370人の応募で約9600人が当選）
➣As a measure against infection, the participating well-wishers were chosen in advance by lottery.
➣Only about 1,500 well-wishers at a time, chosen by lottery, were allowed to enter the complex to attend the New Year's event.
宮内庁庁舎前には特設記帳の専用スペースが設置されました。
➣A dedicated space has been set up just outside the Imperial Household Agency's building at the palace to allow visitors to sign books of celebration.
両陛下の長女愛子さまは成年皇族＝adult member of the Imperial Familyとして初めて参加されました。2021年12月に20歳になられた愛子さまは様々な公務を行われています。
➣This year, the Emperor and Empress were joined on the balcony of the palace for the first time by their daughter Princess Aiko, who turned 21 in December.
➣Since turning 20 a year ago, she has performed her official duties with sincerity as an adult member of the Imperial family, while also studying at university.
※perform official duty 公務を行う
※with sincerity 誠実に、熱心に
上皇、上皇后さまも姿を見せられました。
➣Also present were Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who abdicated in favor of his son in 2019, and his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko.
※emeritus=名誉退職の、前職礼遇の ラテン語でhaving earned discharge
※abdicate 退位する
海外紙から、天皇についての説明の抜粋です。
➣The Emperor is a symbol of the state and wields no political power.
➣He performs state functions of a formal and ceremonial nature.
➣These include the appointment of the prime minister and chief justice of the Supreme Court, a convocation of the Diet, and promulgation of laws.
➣The Emperor remains a revered figure in Japan.
