Emperor Naruhito celebrated his enthronement on Tuesday, in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace attended by dignitaries from over 174 countries and international organizations, followed by a series of banquets. He pledged to fulfill his duty as a symbol of the state.
Naruhito
According to Telegraph, Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in May, becoming the 126th Emperor of Japan and ushering in the new Reiwa era. His father, former Emperor Akihito abdicated a day earlier, becoming the country's first monarch to step down in two centuries.
The "Sokuirei Seiden no gi" (Ceremony of the Enthronement of the Emperor) at the Seiden State Hall will start at 1 p.m. in the "Matsu no Ma" state room, with the emperor ascending to the 6.5-meter-high canopied throne. Empress Masako will be seated on the adjacent Michodai throne during the ceremony.
Chamberlains bring two of the three items of imperial regalia the imperial sword and jewel which the emperor inherited in May as proof of his ascension to the throne.
Meanwhile, Empress Masako, dressed in a layered court kimono, stood inside the adjacent Michodai throne in the "Sokuirei Seiden no gi" ceremony at the palace in central Tokyo, attended by Britain's Prince Charles, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak Yon, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, according to Japan's National Daily.
New Japanese Emperor Naruhito delivers his first speech
Noteworthy, the previous rite held in November 1990 for Emperor Akihito followed the example of the enthronement ceremony of his father, Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.
It was based on "Tokyokurei," a 1909 order on the formalities of the ceremony, although the directive was abolished after World War II.
Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement Tuesday, at a ceremony at the Imperial Palace attended by roughly 2,000 guests from Japan as well as more than 170 countries and international organizations.
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