Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, was formally sworn in as first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Sunday in a palace ritual postponed for seven months and scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic
The ceremony for the 54-year-old crown prince, better known as Prince Akishino, concludes a series of imperial succession rituals that began in May last year when Naruhito ascended to the throne after their 86-year-old father Akihito abdicated.
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Japan's Emperor Naruhito appears during a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to the world. Reuters -
Emperor Naruhito officially proclaims his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne during an enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP -
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shouts banzai cheer for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during the enthronement ceremony, Tokyo, Japan. AFP -
Empress Masako leaves the state room at the end of the enthronement ceremony where Emperor Naruhito officially proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP -
Japan's Empress Masako makes her appearance during a ceremony to proclaim Emperor Naruhito's enthronement to the world. AP -
Attendants chant "Banzai" cheer during the enthronement ceremony after Japanese Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AP -
Japanese Empress Masako leaves the ceremony hall after Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters -
Japan's Emperor Naruhito walks to Kashikodokoro sanctuary to report the proclamation of his ascension to the throne during a ritual at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 22, 2019. AFP -
Japan's Empress Masako visits “Kashikodokoro”, one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. AP -
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte arrives to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Reuters -
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, meets with HE Khalid Omran Al Ameri, UAE Ambassador to Japan. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn Chan-ocha arrive to attend the enthronement ceremony Of Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP -
A Yomiuri newspaper worker hands a copy of the extra edition reporting the enthronement ceremony for the 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito. AP -
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, and his wife Akie arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -
The Vatican's Cardinal Francesco Monterisi arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2019. Some 2,000 guests and dignitaries from over 180 countries are expected to attend the enthronement ceremony. EPA -
India's President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. Reuters -
State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2019. EPA -
Norway's Crown Prince Haakon arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. REUTERS -
People line up and wait outside of the Tokyo Imperial Palace before before the enthronement ceremony for the 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan. AP Photo -
Netherland's King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -
Queen Letizia of Spain attends the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne in Tokyo on October 22, 2019. AFP -
Japan's Emperor Naruhito makes his appearance during a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to the world, called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. Reuters -
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam arrives to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Reuters -
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko, second from right, arrive for the ceremony at "Kashikodokoro", one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. AP -
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
Inside the palace’s most prestigious Pine Room, Naruhito, 60, declared that his younger brother was now officially the crown prince who is first in line to succeed the throne of the world’s oldest monarchy.
“I hereby declare in and outside of the country that prince Fumihito is now the crown prince,” said Naruhito, in his reddish brown robe and a headdress. Fumihito, in an orange robe and accompanied by his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, pledged in response: “I deeply acknowledge my responsibilities as crown prince and carry out my duties.”
The approximately 15-minute ceremony, initially scheduled for April 19, was postponed after Japan’s government issued a state of emergency earlier that month due to the pandemic.
Sunday’s ritual was scaled down from the original 350 to about 50 attendants that included Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other top government officials, as well as prefectural representatives and select foreign dignitaries.
In a separate, closed ceremony later on Sunday, Fumihito inherited an imperial sword symbolising his status as crown prince.
Palace banquets and other events including public signing of congratulatory messages have been cancelled as part of anti-virus measures.
Sunday’s proclamation for the crown prince paves the way for the government to start discussing what to do with the dire shortage of heirs.
Naruhito’s succession left only two younger men in line for the throne — Fumihito and his 14-year-old son, Hisahito. Naruhito’s 18-year-old daughter, Aiko, and the crown prince’s two daughters Mako and Kako are not in line because they are women.
Japan’s Imperial House Law, largely based on pre-war constitution, does not allow a female emperor and bars women when they marry commoners.
The government in 2005 considered the possibility of female emperors, but the discussion halted as soon as Hisahito was born the following year. Surveys have shown that most Japanese support having female emperors, as Aiko has become increasingly popular.
Mr Suga recently said his government would begin studying ways to secure a stable imperial succession after the crown prince’s proclamation.
Official duties increased during the reign of hugely popular former emperor Akihito, who actively interacted with the public, including visiting disaster-hit areas to console residents.
Fumihito, one of the outspoken members of the imperial family, has expressed his views on how the family should adapt to modern times. He has said he believed royal duties can be shared equally regardless of gender, though he declined to comment on whether female emperors should be allowed.
The imperial family currently has 13 women, including six who could marry and lose their royal status in coming years.
