New Year Begins As Era Nears End

あけまして おめでとう ございます!

A New Year Begins as the sun begins to set on the Heisei Era. It was good to see Emperor Akihito greet the throngs of crowds that greet him every New Years Day once more. Next year will be his last appearence at the balcony of the Imperial Palace as the troch will be passed to Crown Prince Naruhito will become Emperor after the Abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne April 30th, 2019. Many will have memories to share and thoughts to convey on this upcoming event. An event that has not happened in over 200 years. For us, we think of how we were born in the Showa Era and our children in the Heisei Era. We really admired Emperor Akihito and appreciated his yearly New Years Greetings. We will miss him as in less than two years time we will greet a New Emperor and a New Era. We wish the Emperor & Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, and the rest of the Imperial Family and all citizens of Japan a Happy New Years!