Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a fall garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon, attended by about 1,400 guests, including athletes who won gold medals at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The couple, along with their daughter, Princess Aiko, and other imperial family members, interacted with the guests.

Recalling his gold medal in the men's 66-kilogram judo category, Hifumi Abe told the couple, "I did my best to win a gold medal for my sister as well." The couple appreciated his efforts with younger sister Uta, who also participated in the Games.

In a conversation with Haruka Kitaguchi, the women's javelin gold medalist, Emperor Naruhito referred to Kitaguchi's record of 65 meters. "I think I can throw across the pond (at the party venue)," said Kitaguchi, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Empress Masako told gold-winning skateboarders Koko Yoshizawa and Yuto Horigome about her childhood skateboarding experience. Yoshizawa responded with surprise, saying, "We could skateboard together."

Also among the guests was architect Kengo Kuma, who is helping to rebuild the disaster-hit town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. The empress told him, "I hope a nice town will be completed."

This time, the Imperial Household Agency made a change to the nameplates for the spouses of the guests, using their names instead of describing them as spouses.

Dishes, such as grilled mutton from a farm of the agency, were served for the first time in six years.