While 'The Ceremony of New Year Reception,' held in the presence of the heads of the three branches of the government is a state affair, 'People's Visit to the Palace for the New Year Greeting' is regarded as one of the imperial public activities other than the state affairs.
なお三権の長を招いて行う「新年祝賀の儀」は国事行為に該当する儀式だが、この「新年一般参賀」は国事行為以外の公務とされている。