Emperor, Empress to host May 11 garden party

NHK has learned that Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will host a spring garden party on May 11.

It will be the first such event in five years and in the Reiwa era.

Imperial couples have traditionally hosted garden parties twice a year at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. Eight of these in a row had been canceled for reasons including the spread of coronavirus infections. The last was held in 2018, at the end of the Heisei era.

Sources familiar with the matter say the May 11 date was decided in consideration of the government's anti-infection measures.

In the past, about 2,000 people from across the nation were invited. The event involved people talking in close proximity with drinks and food being served.

The sources say the number of guests and whether drinks and food will be offered at the party has yet to be decided.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230222_14/