A reception in honor of Japanese Emperor Naruhito took place Feb. 20 at the Federal Reserve Plaza, hosted by Consul General of Japan Setsuo Ohmori. Consul General Ohmori introduced New England Free Jacks Rugby player Kensuke Hatakeyama. (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)

A birthday reception in honor of Japanese Emperor Naruhito took place Feb. 20 at the Federal Reserve Plaza. The celebration was hosted by Consul General of Japan Setsuo Ohmori and his wife Emi Ohmori.

“Emperor Naruhito is leading the Japanese people into a new period of time filled with national harmony,” Setsuo Ohmori said.

The emperor is an accomplished viola player and avid mountain climber, Ohmori said. Empress Masako came with her family to Boston, attending Belmont High School. The empress studied economics at Harvard University/Radcliffe College.

Japan Society chairman William Hunt said, “I’d like to propose a toast to his Majesty the Emperor: Congratulations to your continued success, prosperity and health. Kan pai!”

The event featured live music from jazz trumpeter Tiger Okoshi, sake tasting and a video of Emperor Naruhito’s May 1, 2019 coronation. Rugby player Kensuke Hatakeyama of the New England Free Jacks was introduced as the team’s first Japanese player, after being signed in 2019.

In 1959, the Japanese city of Kyoto became Boston’s first sister city, celebrating 60 years in 2019. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the prefecture of Hokkaido will mark 30 years as sister states this year.

The embassy will host Japan Festival from April 25 to May 26 at the Boston Common.

Emperor Naruhito’s birthday is on Feb. 23, when he will turn 60. He succeeds his father Emperor Akihito, 86, who abdicated the throne to his son.