Emperor’s birthday event cancelled due to COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak

The Japanese Imperial Household Agency  announced it has cancelled a birthday public appearance for Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace scheduled on 23 February 2020 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The birthday address on Sunday would have been the first by the emperor, who will turn 60, since his accession to the throne on May 1 last year. His father, former Emperor Akihito, became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in over 200 years when he stepped down on April 30.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were originally scheduled to greet the public three times on Sunday morning from a balcony in the palace’s Chowa-Den wing, together with Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Crown Princess Kiko and their daughters Princess Mako and Princess Kako.

Two fresh cases of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19 were reported in the Kanto region on Monday, bringing the total number in Japan to 61, excluding passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess cruise ship who tested positive.

 

Via EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON