The annual New Year's poetry reading took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday, with the Emperor, Empress and other Imperial family members in attendance.

This year's theme for the 31-syllable "Waka" poem was "wa," meaning "harmony."

Ten poems selected from about 15,000 public entries from at home and abroad were recited in the traditional manner. The youngest person to be chosen was a 17-year-old high-school student.

Another selected entrant was Miyamura Mizuho, a municipal government worker in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was struck by a powerful earthquake on New Year's Day.

Miyamura said she considered giving up attending the poetry reading event, as she was pressed to respond to the disaster. But she decided to take part, after her boss encouraged her to bring cheerful news to the prefecture.

Miyamura composed a poem that fondly recalls the conversations she had with friends at university.

Poems by Imperial family members were also recited.

Crown Prince Akishino wrote about his visit to northeastern Japan more than 40 years ago, and the scenery he enjoyed during an early morning walk near Lake Towada.

A translation of the poem reads: Reflected on the surface/ of Lake Towada in the early morning/ the autumn leaves/ on the surrounding trees/ whose colors have emerged.

Empress Masako wrote how she was touched by a composition written by her daughter, Princess Aiko, following her first visit to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima City when she was in junior high school.

The poem translates as follows: How moved I was to read/ My daughter's deep feelings for peace/ After her first visit/ To Hiroshima.

Emperor Naruhito recalled the smiles of people who welcomed him and the Empress during their visits across Japan.

The poem translates as: Seeing the smiles of the people/ I meet during my many journeys/ Throughout the country/ Fills my heart with peace.

The theme for next year's poetry reading is "yume," meaning "dream." Entries will be accepted until the end of September.