天皇陛下、元日にビデオメッセージ　国民向け、一般参賀中止で―宮内庁

　宮内庁は２９日、天皇陛下が新年に当たり出される国民向けビデオメッセージについて、来年１月１日に公表すると発表した。新型コロナウイルス感染拡大防止のため見送られた１月２日の新年一般参賀の代わりで、例年文書で出していた年頭の感想も兼ねる。
　ビデオメッセージは、陛下の最初の年中行事が始まる１日午前５時半に宮内庁のホームページに掲載される。（2020/12/29-15:28）

Japan's Emperor Naruhito will release a video message on Friday, New Year's Day, as a substitute for his Jan. 2 public appearance, which has been canceled for 2021, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday.
   The video message will be uploaded to the agency's website at 5:30 a.m. Friday (8:30 p.m. Thursday GMT). It will be also used in place of the Emperor's written New Year's statement, according to the agency.
   It will be the first time for Emperor Naruhito, who ascended to the throne in May 2019, to issue a video message to the public.
   His father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, released video messages in the wake of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and in August 2016, respectively. In the latter video, he indicated his wish to step down as Emperor.