Japan prepares for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony next week

Japan’s new emperor Naruhito, is set to proclaim enthronement on October 22 after he acceded to the throne in May this year. Naruhito’s father, Akihito, relinquished his position becoming the first monarch in two centuries to do so. The ceremony will start at 1.00 pm (0400 GMT) where he will wear a traditional robe and headdress. The declaration of the enthronement will be made from a high pavilion known as ‘Takamikura’.

Read: Japan Searching For Crew Of Sunken North Korean Boat

Enthronement ceremony

The emperor will be presented with two out of the three sacred treasures containing a replica sword representing the sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and a necklace of comma-shaped stone beads called the Yasakani no magatama. The third treasure, the mirror Yata-no-Kagami is enshrined in the Ise Grand Shrine, a shrine considered as the embodiment of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Naruhito, along with her wife, will ride an open-top limousine for half an hour through central Tokyo.

Read: Japan To Allocate $6.6 Million To Recover From Damage By Hagibis

The last enthronement covered on television

The last enthrone ritual was held in 1990 when Akihito acceded to the throne and was the first one to be covered on television. The royal ceremony will be graced by 2,500 people including several dignitaries from around the world. According to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, representatives from more than 190 countries will attend the ceremony. Prince Charles of Britain, Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will be among the dignitaries. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Erdogan are also likely to grace the royal event.

Read: Typhoon Hagibis Leaves A Trail Of Destruction Across Japan

Naruhito's life

Naruhito, born in 1960 in Tokyo Imperial Palace, graduated from Gakushuin University in March 1982 with a Bachelor of Letters degree in history. He got married to Masako Owada in 1993 after he became the crown prince in 1991 following his grandfather’s death. Emperor and Empress have a daughter named Aiko, Princess Toshi who was born in 2001 after Masako suffered a miscarriage in 1999.

Read: President Kovind To Pay 7-day Visit To Philippines, Japan From Oct 17

(With Inputs from Agencies)