TOKYO (AP) Japans imperial family made an Instagram debut with a barrage of posts on Monday, hoping to shake off their reclusive image and reach out to younger people on social media.

The Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of the familys affairs, posted 60 photos and five videos showing Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masakos public appearances over the past three months.

The agency said they wanted the public to have a better understanding of the familys official duties and that Instagram was chosen because of its popularity among youth.

By Monday evening, their verified account Kunaicho_jp had more than 270,000 followers.

The first photo published was of the imperial couple sitting on a sofa with their 22-year-old daughter Princess Aiko, all smiling as they marked New Years Day.

Other postings also included the Imperial couples meetings with foreign dignitaries, including Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah his wife.