well-wisher

今年も毎年恒例の行事が行われます。

Visiting the Imperial Palace grounds

TOKYO — Other than the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is open daily, the Imperial Palace Grounds are open to the general public, via Nijubashi Bridge, only two days of the year: on the Emperor’s Birthday (Dec 23) and New Year’s (Jan 2).
On both occasions, after completion of a security check, each visitor is given a paper Japanese flag and passes across the 19th century stone bridge and the Nijubishi Bridge behind it to gather in a large courtyard outside the Imperial Palace itself, a building constructed in the 1960s. The emperor and several members of his family appear on a glass enclosed balcony at fixed times throughout the day and the emperor delivers a short, formal greeting to the crowd, which responds by waiving the Japanese flags. The crowd is then escorted down a slope to exit via the Kikyo-mon gate. Unfortunately, the visit does not actually include an opportunity to enter the Imperial Palace.
On Dec 23, the emperor will appear three times, at 10:20 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. There will also be greeting books available just after the security check points for well-wishers to inscribe greetings to him.
On Jan 2, the emperor will appear five times, at 10:10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.
On both days, it is wise to arrive in plenty of time, as it is usually crowded. Additionally, the gates close 10 to 20 minutes prior to the last imperial appearance.

Visiting the Imperial Palace grounds - Japan Today

ここでのwell-wisherは、「上手くいくように祈る人」あたりの意味かなと思いましたが、辞書を引いてみると「他人（物事）の幸福を祈る人」、「支持者」という意味があるそうです（『ジーニアス英和辞典　第４版』大修館）。支持者といえばsupporterという感じだったので、今回の表現は恥ずかしながら初見でした。
皇居で行われる新年一般参賀は毎年ニュースで報じられて、たくさんの人が集まっていますよね。私自身行ったことがないのですが、いつか機会があれば行ってみたいです。（Haramii）