Today is a national holiday – the birthday of the Emperor of Japan. This year it is the first time it is celebrated on February 23rd, after the old Emperor’s birthday is exactly two months earlier in December. Because of the abdication/ascention being in April/May last year, there was no Tenno Tanjobi in 2019.
Usually on this day, the Imperial palace in Tokyo is open to the public and people may go and see the Imperial couple and sign a guestbook. However, this year, with the corona virus scare rampant even in Japan, the event was cancelled, even though the government thought it not necessary.
The new emperor Naruhito turned 60 today, and we all hope that he will lead a long and healthy – and not too restricted – life.