AP
In this Nov. 4, 2017 photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Emperor Akihito, center left, and Empress Michiko, center right, smile with their family members during a photo session for the New Year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Also in the picture are Crown Prince Naruhito, seated second from left, his wife, Crown Princess Masako, seated left, their daughter, Princess Aiko, top left, Prince Akishino, seated second from right, his wife, Princess Kiko, seated right, their daughter, Princess Mako, top right, and their son, Prince Hisahito, top second from right. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)
- HOGP
Well-wishers walk toward the venue for Japan's Emperor Akihito's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. The banner at right reads: "Long live the emperor." (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Well-wishers wait for an appearance of Japan's Emperor Akihito with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Well-wishers wait for an appearance of Japan's Emperor Akihito with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Well-wishers wave national flags as Japan's Emperor Akihito with his family members appears on the balcony at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Well-wishers wait for an appearance of Japan's Emperor Akihito with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Well-wishers wait for an appearance of Japan's Emperor Akihito with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito, center, appears to greet well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Crown Prince Naruhito, fourth from left, next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito, second from left, with Crown Prince Naruhito, left, waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito and and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito, second from left, with Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito, left, waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito, right, with Crown Prince Naruhito waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his family members at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Prince Akishino, his wife Princess Kiko, center, and their daughter Princess Mako, wave to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during New Year's public appearance at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
In this Nov. 4, 2017 photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Emperor Akihito, center left, and Empress Michiko, center right, pose with their family members during a photo session for the New Year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Also in the picture are Crown Prince Naruhito, seated second from left, his wife, Crown Princess Masako, seated left, their daughter, Princess Aiko, top left, Prince Akishino, seated second from right, his wife, Princess Kiko, seated right, their daughter, Princess Mako, top right, and their son, Prince Hisahito, top second from right. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)
- HOGP
Japan's Emperor Akihito, second from right, waves with Empress Michiko, right, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko
Japan's Emperor Akihito, second from right, waves with Empress Michiko, right, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during his New Year's public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Akihito, who is handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito next year, is being showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year's well-wishers at the palace. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
- Eugene Hoshiko