Japan emperor's brother proclaimed 1st in line to throne

Japanese Emperor Naruhito's younger bror, Crown Prince Fumihito, was formally sworn in as first in line to Chrysanmum Throne in a tritional palace ritual Sunday that has been postponed for seven month and scaled down due to coronavirus pandemic.

ceremony for 54-year-old crown prince, better kwn as Prince Akishi, concludes a series of imperial succession rituals that began in May last year when Naruhito ascended to throne after ir 86-year-old far Akihito abdicated.Inside palace’s most prestigious Pine Room, Naruhito, 60, declared that his younger bror is w officially crown prince who is first in line to succeed throne of world's oldest monarchy.

“I hereby declare in and outside of country that prince Fumihito is w crown prince,” said Naruhito, in his reddish brown robe and a hedress. Fumihito, in an orange robe and accompanied by his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, pledged in response: “I deeply ackwledge my responsibilities as crown prince and carry out my duties.” approximately 15-minute ceremony, initially scheduled for April 19, was postponed after Japan’s government issued a state of emergency earlier that month due to pandemic.

Sunday’s ritual was scaled down from original 350 to about 50 attendants that included Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and or top government officials, as well as prefectural representatives and select foreign dignitaries.In a separate, closed ceremony later Sunday, Fumihito inherited an imperial sword symbolizing his status as crown prince.

Palace banquets and or events including public signing of congratulatory messs have been canceled as part of anti-virus measures.Sunday's proclamation for crown prince paves way for government to start discussing what to do with dire short of heirs.

Naruhito's succession left only two younger men in line for throne — Fumihito and his 14-year-old son, Hisahito. Naruhito’s 18-year-old daughter, Aiko, and crown prince's two daughters Mako and Kako are t in line because y are women.Japan's Imperial House Law, largely based on pre-war constitution, does t allow a female emperor and bars women when y marry commoners.

government in 2005 considered possibility of female emperors, but discussion halted as soon as Hisahito was born following year. Surveys have shown that most Japanese support having female emperors, as Aiko has become increasingly popular.

Suga recently said his government will begin studying ways to secure a stable imperial succession after crown prince's proclamation.Official duties increased during reign of hugely popular former emperor Akihito, who actively interacted with public, including visiting disaster-hit areas to console residents.

Fumihito, one of outspoken members of imperial family, has expressed his views on how family should apt to modern times. He has said he believed royal duties can be shared equally regardless of , though he declined to comment on wher female emperors should be allowed. imperial family currently has 13 women, including six who could marry and lose ir royal status in coming years.

(Im Credit: AP) 

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