Japan's Emperor Naruhito greeted the public on Saturday for the first time since he ascended the throne on May 1. He made his first public greeting at the Imperial Palace, where more than 140,000 gathered to witness these great moments.
Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father Akihito declared his abdication in a historic ceremony on April 30.
In a short speech, the new emperor expressed hopes for world peace.
[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="http://see.news/images/2019/05/10000000_291417081747408_9067129905547792052_n.mp4"][/video]
Naruhito's First Public Appearance
What did he say in his short speech?
From a balcony overlooking the palace ground, Naruhito thanked the assembled crowds. “I am deeply blessed and grateful for everyone here today who has offered congratulations,” the emperor said in a statement.
“I wish you good health and happiness, and I sincerely hope that our country will develop further while working together with other countries to pursue global peace,” he added.
Who is Naruhito?
Naruhito is the eldest son of Akihito, who has become the first Japanese monarch to step down in more than 200 years. He was born in Tokyo in February 1960.
The 59-year-old graduated from Oxford University. The new emperor is married to Crown Princess Masako, and they have only one child, Princess Aiko, who was born in 2001.
[gallery size="large" ids="49105,49106"]
Follow the latest news on Google News
