新年一般参賀、事前申込制に　３年ぶり開催、定員超で抽選―宮内庁

　宮内庁は２日付で、来年１月２日に皇居で新年一般参賀を実施すると正式発表した。新型コロナウイルス感染防止のため事前申込制とし、多数の場合は抽選となる。新年恒例行事だが、コロナ禍で中止されており、実施は２０２０年以来３年ぶり。
　一般参賀では例年、天皇、皇后両陛下をはじめ、皇族方が皇居・宮殿のベランダに立たれる。同庁によると、来年は計６回の予定。参賀者は各回１５００人程度とし、マスク着用や手指消毒などの感染対策を講じる。同庁庁舎前には記帳所も設置する。
　参賀は午前が１０時１０分、１１時、１１時５０分、午後は１時半、２時２０分、３時１０分。
　申し込みは今月１８日締め切りで、宮内庁ホームページか往復はがき（当日消印有効）で受け付ける。抽選の場合、当選者には１２月中旬ごろまでに要領を送付する予定。（2022/11/02-00:09）

A New Year greeting event will be held at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo on Jan. 2 next year, the Imperial Household Agency said Wednesday.
   The customary event, in which members of the Imperial Family appear on the balcony of the palace to offer New Year greetings to crowds of visitors, will be held for the first time in three years since 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be canceled in 2021 and 2022.
   To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the agency will require those joining the 2023 event to make advance reservations. In case a large number of applications are filed, participants will be decided by lot.
   On Jan. 2, 2023, Emperor Naruhito and other Imperial Family members will appear on the balcony six times and the number of visitors will be limited to around 1,500 for each time, according to the agency. Visitors will be asked to wear face masks and disinfect their hands and fingers with sanitizers.
   The agency will accept applications through its website and postcards, with the deadline set on Nov. 18.