<Anchor>

In Japan today (22th), there was a proclamation ceremony of the reign of King Naruhito, who succeeded the throne last May. He said he would do his duty according to the Constitution. The message contrasts sharply with Prime Minister Abe who wants to change the current constitution of Japan, where he cannot have an army.

First, I'm correspondent for Tokyo Yuseongjae.

<Reporter>

Matsunoma, also known as the pine tree room, holds the most formal events in Japan's royal palace.

The purple awning covering the throne called Takamikura is lifted and the crowning ceremony begins.

King Naruhito officially proclaimed his crown in the tan traditional robes that symbolized the sun.

I continued the usual remarks of my father, King Akihito, and wished the happiness of the Japanese people and world peace.

By emphasizing the king's mission under the Constitution, he indirectly expressed his commitment to the defense of the peace constitution.

[King Naruhito: Under the Constitution, I swear to fulfill my mission as a symbol of the integration of Japan and Japanese people.]

King Naruhito's remarks were the same as in May, but it was clearly contrary to Prime Minister Abe, who is pursuing a constitutional amendment.

There was no constitution in Abe's address.

[Abe / Japanese Prime Minister: We will do our best to create an era in which culture grows with people sharing beautifully.]

[Long live the Emperor!]

Today's proclamation took place in the rain, attended by more than 2,000 congratulatory delegations from 183 countries including Prime Minister Nak-yeon Lee.

King Akihito did not attend, and his daughter Aiko and his nephew Hisahito, who became second in the ranks of the throne, were also underage.

Currently, the Royal Palace is hosting a banquet hosted by the King with attendants of national celebrations.

(Video coverage: Han Chul-min)

▶ President Nak-yeon Lee took the president's letter "an opportunity to go one step further"