The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about how the Japanese Emperor spends the first days of the New Year.

Question: There was a New Year's greeting event at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2, and many people gathered. What is the purpose of this annual event?

Answer: It is an event where the emperor, empress and other members of the Imperial Family respond to the well-wishes of the gathered people. It began in 1948 after World War II.

Q: Does Emperor Naruhito start work from Jan. 2?

A: Emperor Naruhito begins activities early on New Year's Day every year. At around 5:30 a.m., he participates in a ritual called "Shiho-hai" at the Imperial Palace. In a structure with only a roof and pillars, he prays for the happiness of the people and other matters while facing toward Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, and other directions. Following this, a "Saitansai" ceremony is held at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries, where he pays respects to the gods and past emperors.

Q: Are there other events on New Year's Day?

A: From around 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Emperor Naruhito receives New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace's Kyuden, the main building where he performs official duties, and at his residence. This year, Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako moved between rooms in the main building to receive greetings.

Q: Who comes to offer greetings?

A: Visitors include members and former members of the Imperial Family and relatives, as well as representatives from the Cabinet, prefectural governments, both houses of the Diet and the Supreme Court. Ambassadors to Japan and representatives of former court nobles' families' organizations also come.

Q: Are Their Majesties too busy to even have meals?

A: After the Saitansai ceremony, Emperor Naruhito returns to his residence for a meal. This is the New Year's breakfast passed down in the Imperial Family, called "Oiwai Sakizuke," which includes grilled yellowtail, boiled spiny lobster, simmered chestnuts and clam soup.

Q: Are there other events in January?

A: Among the events unique to the New Year, the Imperial Couple receive lectures from researchers in various fields in the Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures), which will be held on Jan. 10 this year. Then on Jan. 22, the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading), where Emperor Naruhito sets a theme for poems and accepts submissions from the public, will be held.

(Japanese original by Hiroyuki Takashima, Tokyo City News Department)