he Emperor and Empress on Friday carried out their final official duty outside the Imperial Palace before the Emperor’s planned abdication on Tuesday.
The Imperial couple attended the 13th ceremony of awarding the MIDORI Prize, an event held by the Cabinet Office at the Parliamentary Museum in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Outside in the rain, about 100 people gathered near the venue for a final glimpse in public of the couple as Emperor and Empress. The car windows were lowered as the smiling Emperor and Empress waved to the crowd.
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Inside during the ceremony, individuals and groups were awarded for their contributions to nature conservation and tree-planting campaigns. The Emperor and Empress applauded the award winners who received certificates of achievement from Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. The couple also spoke to the winners at a reception in the museum after the ceremony.
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