Tokyo

Preparations are proceeding steadily for rituals to mark Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s accession to the throne, including the main enthronement proclamation ceremony set for Tuesday.

On Saturday, the Imperial Household Agency allowed journalists to see the current state of the Imperial Palace, where the “Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi” ceremony will take place with the attendance of about 2,000 guests including representatives from more than 190 countries.

In the palace’s “Matsu-no-Ma” hall where the ceremony will be held, the “Takamikura” throne for Emperor Naruhito and the “Michodai” platform for Empress Masako are placed after repair work was finished. In the inner garden, 26 “ban” flagpoles are installed.

Takamikura and Michodai were broken down into parts and transported by land from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in September 2018.

Also on Saturday, a general rehearsal for the enthronement proclamation ceremony was held in the palace, participated by senior officials including from the agency, the Cabinet Secretariat and the Cabinet Office.

Arrangements for the main ceremony have been finished, despite a delay in work to make up the inner garden in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, which ravaged central to eastern areas of the country over the last weekend, according to agency officials.

“We’re wishing for great weather on the day” of the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi ceremony, a senior agency official said. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Tuesday (4 a.m. GMT).

The 126th Emperor will ascend to the throne and declare his enthronement. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will then lead other guests in three “banzai” cheers.

On the nights of Tuesday, Friday, Oct. 29 and 31, the “Kyoen-no-gi” court banquets will be held with a total of about 2,000 participants.

On Nov. 10, the Emperor and Empress will parade in a convertible sedan on a 4.6-kilometer route from the palace to the Akasaka Imperial Residence. This “Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi” procession has been rescheduled from Tuesday, due to the typhoon.

From late on Nov. 14 through early on Nov. 15, the Emperor will perform the “Daijosai” great thanksgiving ceremony at the palace’s East Gardens.

Jiji Press