The Spring Garden Party hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako was held at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens on April 22. 

In addition to the Emperor and Empress, their daughter Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter Kako, and six other princesses were in attendance.  

This was the third time Princess Aiko attended the event, following last year's Autumn Garden Party. 

The Empress and the female members of the Imperial Family were dressed in kimonos. 

More than 1,400 people attended the party, including several distinguished guests from all walks of life. 

From the sporting world, pro golfer Aoki Isao and former national women’s softball team coach Utsugi Taeko were among those in attendance.

From the arts, manga artist Chiba Tetsuya, internationally renowned ballet dancer Morishita Yoko, and University of the Ryukus professor emeritus Takara Kurayoshi also attended the event.

At this year’s event, for the first time in 62 years, the style of the reception line for the Imperial Family members was changed.

In the past, when the Emperor and Empress were chatting with their guests, other Imperial Family members followed behind the Imperial Couple. 

However, the heat and the long hours spent waiting to greet the Imperial Family members to greet the Imperial Family members caused five attendees at last year’s Autumn Garden Party to become ill. 

For this reason, the Imperial Household Agency decided to divide the route into three directions so that the Emperor and the Imperial Family could disperse in front of the guests.