TOKYO, Oct 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito will formally
proclaim his ascension to the throne next week in a ritual-bound ceremony,
but the after-effects of deadly typhoon will cast a shadow over proceedings.
Naruhito officially assumed his duties as emperor on May 1, a day after
his father became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in 200 years.
But the transition will not be complete until his new role is officially
proclaimed on Tuesday, in a series of events expected to be attended by
foreign dignitaries from nearly 200 countries.
The event will come just over a week after Typhoon Hagibis slammed into
Japan, killing nearly 80 people and leaving a trail of destruction.
With people still searching for missing loved ones and living in shelters,
the government has opted to postpone a key part of the ceremony — an open-
top car parade that had been intended to introduce the royal pair to the
public.
But the rest of the day’s ceremonies will go ahead, starting with rituals
conducted behind closed doors in which Naruhito will “report” the
proclamation to his ancestors in the ancient royal dynasty.
Hours later, he and his wife Empress Masako will appear at the main event
in the Imperial Palace’s most prestigious hall, the Pine Room.
Naruhito, in a ceremonial outfit dominated by a voluminous draped outer
robe in brown gold — a colour worn only by the emperor — will declare his
enthronement from the “Takamikura” throne.
Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, will wear an elaborate
outfit known as “junihitoe” or many-layered robe, and be alongside the
emperor on a slightly smaller throne.
Her silk robes will be so heavy it will be difficult for her to move, and
attendants will trail her adjusting her outfit.
– ‘Banzai!’ –
The ceremony will be conducted in the presence of an ancient sword and
jewel — part of the imperial regalia said to have been handed down by a
goddess and considered crucial evidence of an emperor’s legitimacy.
Some 2,500 guests, including foreign dignitaries and royalty from more
than 190 countries will rise to drum beats before the proclamation.
After it is complete, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will exclaim “banzai”
(“long live the Emperor”) three times, completing the process.
While the parade has been put off until November 10, a banquet for foreign
dignitaries and local government representatives will go ahead, along with a
tea party at the royal residence the following day.
And Abe will also host a banquet for 900 foreign leaders and delegates at
a Tokyo hotel.
The foreign visitors will range from royalty including Britain’s Prince
Charles, to government officials including South Korean Prime Minister Lee
Nak-yon.
As part of the festivities, hundreds of thousands of people convicted of
minor offences will be pardoned.
– Royal succession worries –
Oxford-educated Naruhito faces a delicate balancing act as emperor,
seeking to continue his father’s legacy of bringing the monarchy closer to
the people, while upholding the centuries-old traditions of the Chrysanthemum
Throne.
He has spoken up to defend his wife, who struggled with the transition to
cloistered royal life after leaving behind a promising diplomatic career to
marry Naruhito. The couple have one child, a 17-year-old daughter called
Aiko, who cannot inherit the throne because she is female.
With Naruhito’s ascension, his brother Akishino became crown prince.
Akishino’s son — 13-year-old Hisahito — is currently the only other
remaining successor.
The dwindling ranks of male heirs in the royal family has rekindled debate
about allowing female royals to ascend the throne, but so far there have been
no formal moves to accommodate the possibility.