The emperor of Japan only comes out twice in a year to greet the public. Once on the first day of the New Year and once on his birthday. The minute he came out, Japanese flags sprung up like mushrooms. I could hear people at the back screaming 'Banzai'! 'Banzai'! It felt like as though I was preparing myself for war. It was beautiful nevertheless to see so many passionate Japanese. The sea of Japanese flags dropped just before the emperor spoke.
