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Naruhito: Japan's emperor proclaims enthronement in ancient ceremony | Naruhito: Japan's emperor proclaims enthronement in ancient ceremony |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Japan's Emperor Naruhito has formally proclaimed his ascension to the throne in an elaborate ceremony. | Japan's Emperor Naruhito has formally proclaimed his ascension to the throne in an elaborate ceremony. |
The emperor, 59, officially began his reign in May after the abdication of his father, the then-Emperor Akihito. | The emperor, 59, officially began his reign in May after the abdication of his father, the then-Emperor Akihito. |
But, after a series of traditional rituals inside the imperial palace in Tokyo, his ascension has now been formalised. | |
The ceremony comes as Japan reels from the effects of Typhoon Hagibis, which left almost 80 people dead. | The ceremony comes as Japan reels from the effects of Typhoon Hagibis, which left almost 80 people dead. |
A celebration parade was postponed out of respect for the victims and their families. | A celebration parade was postponed out of respect for the victims and their families. |
What happened at the ceremony? | What happened at the ceremony? |
The Sokui no Rei - or the Ceremony of Accession - saw Emperor Naruhito inside the 6.5m-high Takamikura throne. | |
He read out a formal proclamation, dressed in a yellow-orange robe worn only by emperors on special occasions. | He read out a formal proclamation, dressed in a yellow-orange robe worn only by emperors on special occasions. |
"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," he said, according to a Reuters translation. | "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," he said, according to a Reuters translation. |
His wife Empress Masako, reportedly clothed in 12 layers of robes, was seen in a separate smaller throne. | |
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a congratulatory address, followed by shouts of "Banzai!" - translated as "long live the emperor". | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a congratulatory address, followed by shouts of "Banzai!" - translated as "long live the emperor". |
The ceremony, conducted largely in silence, was held in the presence of an ancient sword and jewel - sacred treasures that act as symbols of imperial power. | The ceremony, conducted largely in silence, was held in the presence of an ancient sword and jewel - sacred treasures that act as symbols of imperial power. |
Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including the UK's Prince Charles, were in attendance. | Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including the UK's Prince Charles, were in attendance. |
The emperor will later host a tea party for foreign royalty, while Mr Abe will host a banquet in the evening. | The emperor will later host a tea party for foreign royalty, while Mr Abe will host a banquet in the evening. |
How big of a deal is this ceremony? | How big of a deal is this ceremony? |
A pretty huge deal. The last time an enthronement ceremony took place was in 1990, when the then-emperor Akihito formally ascended the throne. | A pretty huge deal. The last time an enthronement ceremony took place was in 1990, when the then-emperor Akihito formally ascended the throne. |
Small crowds turned out on Tuesday morning outside the palace despite a heavy downpour. | Small crowds turned out on Tuesday morning outside the palace despite a heavy downpour. |
"Today is an important day for the new emperor and the empress," 78-year-old Shuichi Hachinuma, who had travelled to Tokyo, told news agency AFP. | "Today is an important day for the new emperor and the empress," 78-year-old Shuichi Hachinuma, who had travelled to Tokyo, told news agency AFP. |
"I feel the emperor is closer to us, compared to in the past... I want him to send a message of peace." | "I feel the emperor is closer to us, compared to in the past... I want him to send a message of peace." |
The torrential winds and rains cleared just as the ceremony began. | The torrential winds and rains cleared just as the ceremony began. |
Some social media users claimed a rainbow appeared just in time for the ceremony. | Some social media users claimed a rainbow appeared just in time for the ceremony. |
Didn't Naruhito already ascend the throne? | Didn't Naruhito already ascend the throne? |
Emperor Naruhito officially began his reign on 1 May. | Emperor Naruhito officially began his reign on 1 May. |
According to news site the Japan Times, the ceremonies conducted on that day were "simpler, and meant to signify the inheritance of the throne immediately". | According to news site the Japan Times, the ceremonies conducted on that day were "simpler, and meant to signify the inheritance of the throne immediately". |
The Sokui no rei was a much more elaborate affair. | The Sokui no rei was a much more elaborate affair. |
It's not uncommon for there to be a gap between the first succession to the throne and the Sokui no rei. | It's not uncommon for there to be a gap between the first succession to the throne and the Sokui no rei. |
For Emperor Akihito, there was an almost two-year gap between his succession to the throne and the Sokui no rei. | For Emperor Akihito, there was an almost two-year gap between his succession to the throne and the Sokui no rei. |
According to one Japanese expert, the reason for the confusion this time round was because then-Emperor Akihito's abdication broke away from the normal procedure. | According to one Japanese expert, the reason for the confusion this time round was because then-Emperor Akihito's abdication broke away from the normal procedure. |
He abdicated due to poor health, becoming the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years. | He abdicated due to poor health, becoming the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years. |
Usually, the celebratory enthronement can only take place after at least a year of mourning. | Usually, the celebratory enthronement can only take place after at least a year of mourning. |
But because Emperor Akihito had stepped down, the ascension of Emperor Naruhito then was seen as much more of a celebration. | But because Emperor Akihito had stepped down, the ascension of Emperor Naruhito then was seen as much more of a celebration. |
"The world just assumed that that [on 1 May] was the combined celebration, but the real celebration is what's happening now," Ken Ruoff, author of Japan's Imperial House in the Postwar Era, told the BBC. | "The world just assumed that that [on 1 May] was the combined celebration, but the real celebration is what's happening now," Ken Ruoff, author of Japan's Imperial House in the Postwar Era, told the BBC. |
"It's not perceived as a big deal [to] the rest of the world who are like 'didn't we already do this?' But it's a big deal for the Japanese." | "It's not perceived as a big deal [to] the rest of the world who are like 'didn't we already do this?' But it's a big deal for the Japanese." |