Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito gestures to media from a train at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, moments before his journey with Empress Emerita Michiko to Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (R) and Empress Emerita Michiko board a train at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, for their journey to Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (2nd L) and Empress Emerita Michiko (front L) greet staff at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, before their journey by train for Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (front) and Empress Emerita Michiko (back) gesture to media from a train at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, moments before their journey to Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (2nd L) and Empress Emerita Michiko (2nd R) arrive at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, for their journey by train to Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (2nd L) and Empress Emerita Michiko (2nd R) greet staff at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, before their journey by train for Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko (C) arrives at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, for her journey with Emperor Emeritus Akihito by train to Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito (front L) and Empress Emerita Michiko (R) greet staff at the Tokyo railway station on May 14, 2023, before their journey by train for Kyoto and Nara prefectures, their first trip outside Tokyo in four years. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's imperial family members: Former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, for the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's imperial family members: Former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's imperial family members, former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and former emperor Emeritus Akihito, attend a public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Monday, Jan, 2, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino wave during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Hisako of Takamado and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado wave during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Former emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito waves as Empress Masako, former Japanese emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko, appear before well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako look on as former Japanese emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko appear before well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, former Japanese emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko appear before well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese emperor Akihito, former empress Michiko, Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter Princess Kako appear before well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito accompanied by former Empress Michiko waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito accompanied by former Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko greet well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko greet well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito with Empress Masako and Emperor Emeritus Akihito waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during a public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito, with Empress Emerita Michiko waves to well-wishers from the bullet-proofed balcony during a public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: (L-R) Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, Princess Hisako of Takamado, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Prince Hitachi, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa and Princess Akiko of Mikasa during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko attend during a public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko (from 3rd to 7th in L) and their royal families attend a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool 

Japan's Emperor emeritus Akihito and Empress emerita Michiko greet well-wishers through a bullet-proof glass from a balcony during their New Year's public appearance at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, Japan, 02 January 2023. It was Emperor Naruhito's first New Year's greetings to the public since 2020. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor emeritus Akihito and Empress emerita Michiko greet well-wishers through a bullet-proof glass from a balcony during their New Year's public appearance at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, Japan, 02 January 2023. It was Emperor Naruhito's first New Year's greetings to the public since 2020. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS 

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and royal families attend a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and royal families wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and royal families wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Empress Emerita Michiko and Emperor Emeritus Akihito wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Bronze Final - New Zealand v Wales - Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - November 1, 2019 Japan's fomer Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko wave to the crowd REUTERS/Peter Cziborra 

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Bronze Final - New Zealand v Wales - Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - November 1, 2019 Japan's fomer Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko wave to the crowd REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Bronze Final - New Zealand v Wales - Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - November 1, 2019 Japan's fomer Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko wave to the crowd REUTERS/Issei Kato 

People gather in front of the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

People take pictures of the royal family, as they leave the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Police officers walk in front of the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Police officers stand guard in front of the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako leaves the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Prince Hisahito arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves as she arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves as she arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon