PM to attend enthronement ceremony of Japanese emperor next week

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP

Also on October 17, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing that Vietnam firmly believes that in the Reiwa reign, the country and people of Japan will continue to reap great achievements in building a prosperous country. The Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership will continue to be strengthened and developed in the interest of the people of both countries, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Emperor Naruhito became the 126^th Emperor of Japan on May 1, 2019, starting the new imperial era of Reiwa. His enthronement ceremony will take place on October 22.

He is set to proclaim his enthronement to the world next week in a ceremony attended by some 2,500 people, including heads of state and other dignitaries from nearly 200 countries.

Emperor Naruhito (L) speaks at his coronation ceremony at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on May 1. Photo: AFP/VNA

Emperor Naruhito will wear a traditional robe and headdress to the ceremony that will start at 1:00 p.m. (0400 GMT) at the Imperial Palace’s Matsu no ma, or Hall of Pine, the most prestigious space in the palace.

He will declare his enthronement from the “Takamikura” with two of the Three Sacred Treasures, placed beside him.

Together with a mirror called Yata-no-Kagami, which is kept at the Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest site in Japan’s Shinto religion, the ancient sword and jewel comprise the regalia that symbolizes the legitimacy of the emperor.

Emperor Naruhito’s proclamation will be followed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s congratulatory address. Abe will then lead three cheers for the new emperor, bringing the 30-minute ceremony to a close.

Abe has said representatives from more than 190 countries and international organizations will likely join the celebration.

Those include Britain’s Prince Charles, who along with Princess Diana also attended Akihito’s enthronement ceremony, US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.

Domestic media said Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will also likely attend, and that Abe will hold talks with some 50 foreign leaders.

The government has postponed a procession due after the enthronement ceremony as the country grapples with the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, which hit over the weekend and killed at least 77 people.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were due to ride in an open-top Toyota Century limousine through central Tokyo.

Abe said a new date had not been picked but public broadcaster NHK reported it would be rescheduled to Nov. 10.

Some 120,000 people, many waving national flags, lined the route to cheer Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as they passed by in a Rolls-Royce Corniche III after his enthronement./.

VNF/VNA/Reuters