Over 20,000 citizens participated in the general audience on the occasion of the Emperor's birthday, demonstrating Japan's strong respect and admiration for their Imperial family. This tradition, which takes place annually on the Emperor's birthday, is recognized as a national holiday. Citizens gather at the palace to express their well wishes to the Emperor who, in turn, addresses the nation expressing hopes for their peace and prosperity.

The news is of significant importance in Japan as it reflects the people's high regard for their monarchy, the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. The Emperor's birthday is a traditional celebration in Japan that fosters a sense of unity among the citizenry. A large turn-out, like the one mentioned, shows a strong societal bond under the monarchy, fortifying their national identity.

In contrast to Japan, the US doesn't have any similar practices due to its constitutional structure, while in many EU countries, monarch's birthdays are often celebrated though not on the same scale. For instance, Queen's Day in the Netherlands is a widely celebrated occasion, but the scale of personal participation varies from Japan's.