Emperor Naruhito awarded his brother Pumihito Prince Akishnu the title in a limited religious ceremony • The two have held many public positions in recent years, due to the health condition of their father, the retiring emperor Akhito
Emperor Naruhito (left) and in front of him Pumihito Prince Akishnu, yesterday
Photography:
AP
In a completely traditional and religious ceremony, yesterday (Sunday) the Emperor of Japan Naruhito appointed his brother Pumihito Prince Akishnu, the regent and the one who ceremoniously holds the title of Imperial Sword Guard.
Only members of the royal family, the Prime Minister of Japan and diplomatic representatives of foreign embassies were present at the ceremony, which was broadcast on public television in Japan.
As you may recall, in April 2019, Emperor Akihito retired due to his advanced age and health condition.
His son Naruhito inherited it.
Fears of the corona led to the postponement of the appointment of a regent to the reigning emperor.
The Japanese government hoped that the plague would subside and that it would be possible to hold a wider national ceremony that would include larger parties and receptions, but in the end and after several postponements it was decided to hold a relatively limited ceremony and not wait any longer.
Photo: Reuters
The culmination of the ceremony was the handing over of the emperor's sword to Prince Pumihito, thus he was in fact defined as the emperor's guardian and the chief responsible for his safety.
Upon receiving the sword, the emperor's brother said: "I reflect deeply on the great responsibility of the position and the public importance of the Crown Prince on all the duties required of this class."
It is important to note that Ponihito has held alongside Narohito many public roles in recent years, in which the father of the two, Emperor Akhito, has struggled with cancer and various medical problems.
The brothers have in fact served together as emperors for the past decade, so the heir to the throne also has extensive public experience.
Archive photo: Reuters
The emperor has one heiress, the 18-year-old princess of Japan, Aiko, but the Japanese monarchy laws of 1867 stipulate that only the emperor's male son can inherit it.
This is discriminatory legislation, which contradicts the fact that Japan has been ruled by empires for centuries.
In fact, the Japanese parliament considered discussing a change in the law in 2006, but then Hissito, the son of Pumihito, was born, so the discussion on changing the law was stopped.
Surveys in Japan show that the vast majority of Japanese actually want Princess Aiko to become an empress, as has been the case in Japan for centuries, but the current constitution does not allow this and conservative forces in government and state oppose any change in tradition.