When is the Emperor's Coronation?
The enthronement ceremony, "sokuirei seiden no gi", of the new emperor will be held on Tuesday October 22nd, which has been made a one-off national holiday in Japan.
Traditions of the Emperor's Coronation
Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated on April 30th 2019, making him the first Japanese Emperor to do so in over two hundred years. The 84-year-old Emperor Akihito signalled his wish to retire in a rare video message in August 2016, citing concerns about his advanced age and weakening health that could prevent him from fulfilling his duties.
Normally a Japanese emperor does not ascend to the throne until his predecessor had died, and only after a full year of mourning. This meant that it was always at least a year before the succession ceremonies would be held.
Did you know?
Japan has the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy.
Due to the abdication of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, the ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito are being held in the same year as his succession. Crown Prince Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan on May 1st 2019, starting the new imperial era of Reiwa.
During the enthronement ceremony at Kyoto Palace, the new emperor will ascend to the imperial throne, the Takamikura, where he will declare his imperial succession to the people. The Takamikura has been in use since 707AD during the Heian period. The current Takamikura was built in 1915 for the enthronement of Emperor Taishō.
The new empress will enter a smaller platform, called the Michōdai, located next to that of the emperor.
At the start of the ceremony, curtains on the thrones are closed but at the sound of a gong, the new emperor and empress are presented to the audience. After the participants salute them, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will approach the emperor's throne. The new emperor will then give his imperial statement, addressing Abe and the public. Abe, in return, makes his congratulatory statement to the new emperor.
Did you know?
Currently, the Emperor of Japan is the only head of state in the world with the English title of "emperor".
There will be emissaries from 195 countries attending the ceremony at the Imperial Palace, along with around 2,500 domestic and foreign dignitaries.
Most public offices will be closed and some public transportation will be on a weekend/holiday schedule.
Due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Hagibis, "Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi", a parade to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's enthronement originally planned for Tuesday October 22nd has been postponed until Sunday November 10th 2019.
