Japan's Emperor Naruhito said he is praying for the happiness of people in Japan and the world in his first New Year's greetings in two years.

The Emperor and other members of the Imperial family greeted well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.

Last year's visits by the general public for the greeting were cancelled following the strong earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula in central Japan on New Year's Day.

Under clear skies, more than 13,000 people entered the palace grounds after the main gate opened at 9:30 a.m.

Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, and others stood at the palace balcony and waved to the crowd. They appeared three times throughout the morning.

The Emperor said he is pleased to celebrate the New Year with the public. At the same time, he expressed concerns about the difficulties many people are facing following last year's disasters, including the Noto quake and heavy rains.

He said he wishes 2025 will be a peaceful year, and prayed for happiness at home and abroad.

The Emperor and Empress and other Imperial family members will make two more appearances on the palace balcony in the afternoon.