Japan imperial spring garden party canceled again over coronavirus concern

The imperial garden party planned for this spring has been canceled again to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday, the second year the event has been called off because of the pandemic.The biannual parties, also held in the fall, have been canceled five times in a row. Garden parties were not held in 2019 as they clashed with Emperor Naruhito's enthronement rites.Around 2,000 guests usually attend the parties at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, where the emperor and empress greet and converse with people who have made notable contribut…READ FULL ARTICLE