２回目の饗宴の儀＝天皇陛下「国の発展祈る」－三権の長ら出席・皇居

　天皇陛下の即位に伴う祝宴「饗宴（きょうえん）の儀」の２回目が２５日昼、皇居・宮殿で行われた。２２日の「即位礼正殿の儀」に参列した三権の長や閣僚、国会議員、各界代表ら約４００人が出席し、天皇、皇后両陛下や皇族方が招待客と和やかに会食された。
　両陛下は正午ごろ、宮殿内の「豊明殿」に到着し、天皇陛下が出席者を前に「即位礼正殿の儀を終え、ここに皆さんと饗宴を共にすることを誠に喜ばしく思います。この機会に国民の幸せと国の一層の発展を祈ります」と述べた。これに対し、安倍晋三首相が「このたびは即位礼正殿の儀を厳粛のうちに終えられ、誠におめでとうございます」と祝詞を述べた。

　国歌演奏の後、大島理森衆院議長の乾杯で食事が始まった。
　この日は山中伸弥さん、本庶佑さんらノーベル賞受賞者、「令和」の考案者とされる中西進さんも出席。皇后さまの両親の小和田恒さん、優美子さん夫妻も姿を見せた。（2019/10/25-13:09）

Japan held the second of the four "Kyoen-no-Gi" court banquets following the proclamation of Emperor Naruhito's accession to the throne at the Imperial Palace from around noon Friday.
   The banquet was attended by some 400 guests who were present at Tuesday's "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" enthronement proclamation ceremony, including the heads of the three branches of government, cabinet ministers, members of the Diet, the country's parliament, and leading figures in various sectors.
   The guests dined with Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other Imperial Family members at the "Homeiden" state banquet hall in the palace in Tokyo.
   In a speech to his guests, Emperor Naruhito expressed his pleasure to have a feast with them after finishing the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi ceremony.
   He also said he also wishes for the people's happiness and the further development of the nation.