新年一般参賀、中止の方向　新型コロナ感染拡大で―宮内庁

　毎年１月２日に皇居で行われる新年一般参賀について、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を考慮し、来年は行わない方向で調整が進められていることが１６日、宮内庁関係者への取材で分かった。新年一般参賀が中止となるのは、前年の昭和天皇の逝去を受けて行われなかった１９９０年以来。（2020/11/16-11:52）

Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering canceling visits by the general public to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2 to receive New Year greetings from the Imperial Family, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, sources at the agency said Monday.
   It would be the first time for such visits to be canceled since 1990 following the death of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously called Emperor Showa, in 1989.
   Usually, the agency allows people to visit the palace on Jan. 2 and on the Emperor's birthday.
   On Jan. 2 this year, Emperor Naruhito and other members of the Imperial Family appeared on the balcony of the palace's Chowaden reception hall to greet about 68,000 people.
   Subsequently, visits to the palace to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's birthday in February were canceled at the last minute due to concerns over crowding amid the virus outbreak.