This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of the emperor of Japan. It follows on the heels of the 50th wedding anniversary of Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Dec. 23 is also Akihito’s birthday. In honor of these occasions, the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle celebrated during its annual holiday party. About 250 people attended the event held at the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood.