Japan’s Emperor Naruhito publicly proclaims his enthronement to the world in centuries-old ceremony
- Naruhito began the day by reporting his enthronement to his imperial ancestors at one of three shrines on the palace grounds
- The main ceremony, attended by dignitaries from more than 180 countries, saw him declare his enthronement from a 6.5 metre-high pavilion
Japanese Emperor Naruhito formally proclaimed his ascendancy to the throne on Tuesday in a centuries-old ceremony attended by dignitaries from more than 180 countries, pledging to fulfil his duty as a symbol of the state.
Naruhito became emperor and his wife Masako became empress on May 1 in a brief ceremony, but Tuesday’s “Sokui no Rei” was a more elaborate ritual at the royal palace in which he officially announced his change in status to the world.
“I swear that I will act according to the constitution and fulfil my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people,” the 59-year-old emperor declared in front of about 2,000 guests, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
“I sincerely hope that Japan will develop further and contribute to the friendship and peace of the international community, and to the welfare and prosperity of human beings through the people’s wisdom and ceaseless efforts,” he said.
Naruhito is the first Japanese emperor born after World War II. He acceded to the throne when his father, Akihito, became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in two centuries, worried that advancing age might make it hard to perform official duties.
