Japan's new Emperor Naruhito has announced his enthronement in the presence of around 2,000 dignitaries from around the world. He assures, in accordance with the Constitution, his responsibility as a symbol of the state, said the 59-year-old monarch.
The ceremony "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi" (ceremony for the enthronement of the emperor) takes place according to an ancient custom. Naruhito spoke of a six and a half meter high roofed throne. He wore a brown-and-orange robe. In the end, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called "Banzai!" Three times. (Long live the Emperor).
Previously, Naruhito had pilgrimaged in the holy shrines of his palace. In the pouring rain, on Tuesday morning, dressed in a light robe, he visited the shrines "Kashikodokoro", the "Koreiden" and the "Shinden". At this religious ceremony, the monarch tells the deities that he will announce his regency to dignitaries in the afternoon.
An originally planned parade of the imperial couple in an open car across the capital was postponed to 10 November, out of consideration for the victims of a recent typhoon disaster. The month is followed by a final religious ceremony where Naruhito thanks his sun goddess for the new rice and offers her rice and sake. Then Naruhito is finally included in the series of emperors.
Naruhito's father Akihito resigned from the post in April 2019 after a good 30 years. Usually, the Tenno, as the emperor is called in Japan, remains in office until his death. However, Akihito asked in 2016 for health reasons to resign. Parliament allowed him to do so by special law.