Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: 126th Japanese EMPEROR PROCLAIMED - NARUHITO ASCENDS the Chrysanthemum THRONE

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino,
his wife & other Imperial family members entering the State
Hall

Today (May 1), Japan entered its 248th era, as it welcomed the accession of its 126th Emperor. Naruhito, 59, ascended the Chrysanthemum throne on the stroke of midnight, beginning the first year of Reiwa period. He succeeds his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 85, who abdicated yesterday after a 30-year-reign (the Heisei period).

Two short ceremonies took place this morning to aknowledge the new Emperor. Both were held at the Imperial Palace's State Hall (Matsu-no-Miya), the same where abdication ceremony was held.

The first one, Kenji to Shokei no gi, began at 10:30am (local time).
It lasted for just 5 minutes & no-one spoke in its duration.

The ceremony signified the new Emperor's inheritance of ancient Imperial regalia, transported closely to Naruhito in his entrance procession & placed on wooden bases on his throne platform.

These Imperial regalia - a sword (kusanagi), a jewel (Yasakani no Magatama) & a mirror (Yata no Kagami) - are regarded as the sacred symbols of Emperor's power on earth, & can't be seen by anyone, but few highest Shinto priests. Two of the regalia (the sword & jewel) were present, while the third (mirror), permanently enshrined to the Ise Grand Shrine, received special prayers (through a representative).

During the ceremony, the chamberlains put the Imperial Regalia, state & Imperial seals (all of it packed) in front of the Emperor & made a deep bow to him, followed by the dignitaries present.

Naruhito inheriting the Imperial Regalia

Naruhito bowed his head back in acceptance; he had inherited these symbols. Chamberlains bowed again, removed regalia & seals from the platform & left the room with the Emperor, concluding the ceremony.

Emperor Naruhito was accompanied by only male adult members of the Imperial family, in line of succession. 26 government officials were also present, with Satsuki Katayama (female member of PM's cabinet), the first ever woman present to such ceremony.

The second palace ceremony, called Sokuigo Choken no Gi, started at 11:10 am (in the same room) & took ~10 minutes.

This time all the adult members of Japanese Imperial family were present (except the retired Emperor & Empress), with an audience of VIP, similar to that of previous day's abdication declaration.

The new Emperor delivered his first speech from the throne.

He briefly recalled the large responsibility his father undertook the Imperial duties with, and taking it over filled him with solemnity.

Naruhito vowed to reflect on the example of his predecessors & improve himself further, as well as to always stand by his people & fullfil his responsibilities as 'symbol of the state & people's unity' (according to the postwar constitution).

He concluded by praying for the happiness of people, Japan's progress, & peace across the world.

Then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke on behalf of the Japanese people. He congratulated the new monarch, expressing his desire to build a progressive Japan & wishing to the Imperial House well.

Thus Naruhito formally ascended the Chrysanthemum throne, however his elaborate, state enthronement is due in October.

When the new Emperor & his family arrived at the Imperial palace, a crowd of well wishers gathered outside to take a glimpse of them.

It was the first ocassion in modern Japan, when welcoming the new era is an opportunity to celebrate, without mourning the death of previous sovereign. The start of Reiwa period was welcomed like the new year, while many young couples decided to mary on its first day. Japan is now on an extended Golden Week of holidays.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's message of
congratulations

Leaders from across the world extended their congratulations to the new Emperor, wishing him a prosperous reign, Japan to enjoy a continuous prosperity & their (bilateral) relations to be reaffirmed.

Emperor Naruhito & his (55-year-old) wife, new Empress Masako are expected to make an effort to modernise the deep conservative Imperial Household & bring it closer to the people (as former Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko did).

Naruhito with Masako (left) & Aiko, Princess Toshi (right)

Their only daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi (17) can't succeed the throne due to the strict, male preference tradition, that couldn't be changed, unless the Imperial family's extinction danger is evident.

Fumihito, Prince Akishino with his wife Kiko & son Hisahito

The new Emperor's heir is his 53-year-old younger brother, Fumihito, Prince Akishino. His 12-year-old son, Prince Hisahito, is the last eligible heir, possible to leave male descendants in future.

Just days before the Imperial transition, a man was arrested for leaving knives on Hisahito's high school dest (on his absence).

Prince Hitachi is the first, sitting on
a wheelchair (right from Masako)

Last in line to the throne is Naruhito's 83-year-old childless uncle Masahito, Prince Hitachi, while currently female members of the Imperial family are obliged to leave it if they marry a commoner.

Naruhito, who has studied history in Oxford, plays the Viola & is actively involved in enviromental protection of water resources, has expressed his desire to continue his father's passifist profil's legacy.

Emperor Naruhito on His arrival to Tokyo's Imperial Palace

Although His Majesty is the first Emperor to be born after the WWII (in 1960), he is fully concerned on the importance of remembering the horrors of war, so not to repeat it again.

When he married Masako Owada (a Harward-educated, a former promising diplomat), he pledged to protect her with all of his might. She left her career to join the Imperial family in 1993.

Empress Masako on her arrival to the Imperial Palace

She received harsh pressure to deliver a male heir, which resulted her a miscarriage (1999) & the withdrawal from public life (2003) soon after their daughter's birth (in 2001), due to a stress disorder.
Naruhito then criticized the media, which showed his human face.

Aiko, Princess Toshi

Masako tried to overcome this stress-related illness (which may be depression-leading) & increased her public appearances in the past few years, however she was still insecure over her new role last year.

Her Majesty is concerned with welfare organisations for children with less opportunities, and some may expect her being an example for even more emancipated women in Japanese Imperial family.

New Japanese Imperial Era - Reiwa, started on May 1

While the (millennial old) Imperial family of Japan's current role is nothing, but symbolical, the influence they can make is taken in account & its interaction with public is redifined according to each Emperor's profile image, he creates through his personal example.

This 'image' is also awaited by the new sovereign, trying to follow his father's footsteps but yet to set his own hardline; who will appear in public for the first time from palace balcony on Saturday (May 4).