Prestigious Shinto costumes and rituals, Emperor Naruhito of Japan proclaimed his enthronement on Tuesday, October 22, during a sumptuous ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo attended by 2,000 guests, including heads of state and dignitaries from some 180 countries. .

"At the address of the country and the world, I proclaim my enthronement," said Naruhito, alongside Empress Masako, both dressed in a traditional dress reserved for this exceptional ritual. Naruhito became the 126th ruler of Japan on May 1 following the abdication of his father Akihito remained for 30 years on the throne of Chrysanthemum.

Although the parade of the imperial couple in the streets of Tokyo, initially scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, was postponed due to the consequences of the typhoon Hagibis, the other celebrations were maintained.

Parterre of Heads of State

The new ruler, 59, became the 126th Emperor of Japan on May 1, the day after the abdication of his father Akihito, 85, a first in this dynasty for more than two centuries.

Foreign guests include heads of state such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, representatives of other royal families such as Prince Charles for the United Kingdom, while Emmanuel Macron has appointed former President Nicolas Sarkozy to be the president. emissary of France.

Donald Trump, who was the first foreign leader to meet the new Emperor Naruhito in May, sent US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in his place.

An imperial banquet with some 400 guests (Japanese government officials and foreign dignitaries) will also be held in the evening, as well as a tea ceremony the next day, which will include the ex-imperial couple Akihito and Michiko.

The motorcade in Tokyo, a rare opportunity for the general public to see and greet the imperial couple, was postponed until 10 November.

In 1990, more than 100,000 Japanese people attended the parade celebrating the enthronement of Emperor Akihito, who had acceded to the throne a year earlier.

But at the end of last week, the government decided that it was not appropriate to maintain this festive moment as thousands of people were still suffering from the terrible floods caused by Typhoon Hagibis ten days ago.

New era

Naruhito has the delicate task of perpetuating the legacy of his father, who was able to get closer to the Japanese people while maintaining millennial imperial traditions.

Akihito had announced in 2016 his intention to abdicate for the benefit of his eldest son, highlighting the decline of his health and therefore the difficulty to continue to ensure "body and soul" its functions as a symbol of the state.

A law of exception, which is valid only for him, was voted to allow him to surrender the throne during his lifetime after 30 years of Heisei era (completion of peace).

Akihito and his wife Michiko have since moved from the imperial palace and are now officially "retired" retaining the titles of emperor and empress emeritus.

May 1st opened the Reiwa era (beautiful harmony), which will accompany Naruhito throughout his reign.

With AFP