Japan Holds Emperor’s Enthronement Ceremony

Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, were formally enthroned as symbolic emperor and empress of Japan in a traditional rite. Reuters reports that leaders from over 180 different countries, including Prince Charles of Britain and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, attended the traditional ceremony.

The Japanese government postponed the public parade until next month to focus on recovery from Typhoon Hagibis, a typhoon that killed over 82 people in early October. Celebrations, however, have been taking place since October 15. The enthronement ceremonies began on October 22.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako officially became emperor and empress of Japan on May 1, 2019. The recent ritual is a centuries-old tradition that serves as an official proclamation of their enthronement.

The ceremony was the first one of the 21st century and faced scrutiny from many. According to Asahi Shimbun, critics especially dissected the language of the speeches, which still incorporated elements of political emperorship, as well as the ritual’s objects that have mythological implications. Amid comparisons between the ceremony’s processes and Japan’s current democratic constitution, the Japanese government pointedly endorsed the symbolic nature of the emperor’s position.

Abe delivered a congratulatory speech during the ceremony, and led a “banzai” cheer that preceded a 21-gun salute. Emperor Naruhito pledged to act according to the constitution and voiced his hopes for the future.

Naruhito promised in his speech to “act according to the constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people.”