Yahoo News Japan emperor Naruhito proclaims ascension to throne in elaborate, centuries-old ceremony
In a series of ceremonies steeped in ritual and pomp, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito was on Tuesday formally crowned head of the longest-lived royal dynasty in history.
At the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and before around 2,000 heads of state, representatives of other royal families and dignitaries from home and abroad, Emperor Naruhito stepped onto the canopied Takamikura imperial throne shortly after 1pm to officially announce his change in status to the Japanese people and the world.
Wearing a traditional robe in dark orange that is solely used by emperors on special occasions, the 59-year-old emperor was accompanied by Empress Masako, 55, who sat on the neighbouring Michodai throne.
“I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them”, the emperor said.
“I sincerely hope that our country, through our people's wisdom and unceasing efforts, achieves further development and contributes to the friendship and peace of the international community and the welfare and prosperity of humankind”, he concluded.
During his speech, he was flanked by two of the three items of the imperial regalia, the Kusanagi sword and the Yasakani no Magatama jewel.
Both were kept in boxes atop lacquered tables and were not opened as only the emperor and the most senior priests of the Shinto religion have ever seen them. The final component of the sacred regalia, the Yata no Kagami mirror, is kept at the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
The speech was followed by congratulatory comments by Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, who led onlookers in three “banzai” cheers to express hopes for a long life for the emperor and a 21-gun artillery salute.
The ceremony was only the second enthronement to take place in Tokyo as the ancient rite traditionally took place in Kyoto, the ancient capital.
Ceremonies required for the succession had begun earlier in the day - which was declared a national holiday - with the emperor and empress waving from their limousine at well-wishers who braved heavy rain in Tokyo to line the road to the palace.
The emperor’s first duty was to report his enthronement to his ancestors at one of the three shrines in the grounds of the palace, dressed in traditional white robes with a long train carried by an attendant and wearing a black headdress.
Oxford-educated Naruhito assumed the throne on May 1, a day after his father, Emperor Akihito, became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years and ushering in the Reiwa era.
Tuesday’s enthronement ceremony was the culmination of a series of rites connected with Naruhito’s transition from crown prince to emperor. He became Japan’s 126th monarch, continuing an imperial line that traces its roots back to the fabled sun goddess Amaterasu in 660BC.
Royalty from around the world were invited to the ceremonies, with Prince Charles representing Britain. Accompanied by Princess Diana, the prince also attended the enthronement of Emperor Akihito in 1989.
Alongside the kings of Bhutan, Malaysia, Tonga and Cambodia were King Philippe of Belgium, Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, Prince Albert II of Monaco and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
The United States was represented by Elaine Chao, the transport secretary, while other political leaders present included Wang Qishan, vice president of China, Aung San Suu Kyi, the state counsellor of Myanmar, and Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines.
Plans for a parade in an open-top car through Tokyo were put on hold out of respect for the dead and missing from the super typhoon that swept through eastern parts of Japan on October 12. The parade is now due to take place on November 10.
Royal guests were invited to a banquet hosted by the emperor at the palace in the evening, while Mr Abe was to host a similar banquet at a hotel for foreign political leaders.
