Naruhito enthroned as Japan's new emperor

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Crown Prince Naruhito was enthroned on Wednesday as Japan's new emperor, one day after his father Akihito's historic abdication.

It is the first time in over 200 years that an emperor has acceded to the throne following an abdication in Japan.

The first part of Wednesday's ceremony was watched by a small group of male members in the Imperial Palace.

Only adult male members of the imperial family – the emperor's younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, 53, and their uncle, Prince Hitachi, 83 – attended.

His wife, Empress Masako, was not in the room in accordance with custom barring female royals, but for the first time a woman did watch – Satsuki Katayama, who was taking part as a member of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito stands as Imperial Household Agency officials carry two of the so-called Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, during a ritual called Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi, a ceremony for inheriting the imperial regalia and seals, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, May 1, 2019. / Reuters Photo

The 59-year-old Naruhito was presented with the sacred imperial treasures of a sword and a jewel, as well as the seal of the state and his personal imperial seal.

In the second part of the enthronement ceremony, attended by government representatives and other royal members, Emperor Naruhito delivered his first public speech in which he vowed to "fulfill his responsibility as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people of Japan."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later expressed a warm welcome to the new emperor on behalf of the Japanese people as part of the ceremony process.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a ritual called Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi, a ceremony for inheriting the imperial regalia and seals, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, May 1, 2019. / Reuters Photo

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech during a ceremony called Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi, Emperor Naruhito's first audience after the accession to the throne, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, May 1, 2019./ Reuter Photo

Former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stepped down on Tuesday after three decades as the nation's top royals in a brief, simple ceremony, with Akihito thanking the people of Japan and saying he prayed for peace.

Naruhito, the first emperor born after World War Two and the first to be raised solely by his parents, expressed gratitude for his parents' work over the past three decades and said he felt solemn at the thought of the burden he is taking on.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, flanked by Empress Masako, delivers a speech during a ‍ceremony called Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi, his first audience after the accession to the throne, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, May 1, 2019./ Reuters Photo

“As I succeed to the throne ... I pledge that I will always think of the people, and while drawing close to them, fulfill my duties as a symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people in accordance with the constitution,” Naruhito, wearing a tailcoat and several large medals, said with a smile.

“I sincerely hope for the happiness of the people and further progress of the country, and for world peace,” he said.

People wait to see Japan's Emperor Naruhito in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, May 1, 2019. / Reuters Photo

Given the backgrounds of Naruhito and his wife, Masako, a 55-year-old former diplomat – which include extended experience studying and living overseas – hopes are high that they may be more international in their outlook and closer to the lives of many Japanese.

On Wednesday morning, electric signs in Tokyo's subway system bore messages “congratulating the emperor on his accession” and workers in a downtown Tokyo electronics store wore red shirts saying “Happy New Era Reiwa.”

(With input from agencies)

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