Apr 26 (NHK) - Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted their annual spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The emperor and empress along with Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and other imperial family members, spoke with guests touring the garden.
They included Yuzuru Hanyu and other Japanese medalists at the South Korean Winter Olympic Games in February.
Hanyu is the first male figure skater in 66 years to win gold medals in 2 straight Olympics.
The emperor congratulated him. Hanyu said he was unable to perform well just before the Games due to an injury but he learned a lot during that period.
The empress said she saw a large number of fans cheering him in a parade through his hometown, Sendai, on Sunday.
Hanyu said he was glad to donate the funds raised by his fans at the parade to help the reconstruction of his hometown and other areas hit by the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.
Female medalists wore colorful kimonos.
Shogi player Yoshiharu Habu received the People's Honor Award earlier this year for becoming the first lifetime holder of all major shogi titles.
When the emperor asked him whether a shogi match wears him out, Habu said he sometimes loses weight during a 2-day match.
Nearly 2,000 guests were invited to the garden party.
Source: ANNnewsCH
