Japan celebrates Emperor's enthronement

Oct 22, 2019 | News On Japan

Oct 22, 2019 (NHK) - It's been a day packed with tradition and celebration. Let's take a look back at how it all unfolded.

It started with heavy rain and strong winds in Tokyo.

The Emperor headed to the Imperial Palace in the morning.

Outside the palace, small groups of well-wishers braved the stormy weather in anticipation of the historic event.

One visitor said: "I'm happy to be here, close to the Emperor, as we celebrate his accession."

An American tourist said: " It's a very special day for the Japanese people and also for us. This is a good chance for us to see this. That's why we walked in the rain."

The Emperor and Empress separately visited the Imperial Palace sanctuaries. Political leaders and members of the Imperial family attended the ritual.

A few hours later, the main ceremony was conducted. Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including Britain's Prince Charles, and the kings and queens of Bhutan and the Netherlands, were in the audience.

Tens of thousands of people in Japan and around the world also tuned in, as the Emperor officially proclaimed his enthronement.

The festive mood extended across the country. A newspaper in the western city of Osaka ran a special edition for the event. One man said:" I am so happy. It's wonderful. I hope Japan's future path is a good one."

In Kyoto, city officials put out a book for people to sign, and many expressed well-wishes.

One traveler said:" I'm very happy for the Emperor. I hope he enjoys good health, and that this new era will be a long one. "

Another visitor said: "I hope the Emperor doesn't change his views. I hope we can make the country a better place together."

One station in Fukuoka unveiled a new nickname to mark the occasion.

In Osaka, more than 100 people lined up to get their hands on commemorative boarding passes from a local subway operator.

In Tokushima, the celebrations included a giant kite emblazoned with the name of the new era.

Meanwhile, one farmer in central prefecture of Nagano said he appreciates that the Imperial procession was postponed. The area is still recovering from typhoon Hagibis. Officials in Tokyo opted to give priority to dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

Ken Nakajima said: "I feel like the Emperor really cares for us, people in areas affected by the disaster. Knowing he is concerned really encourages us."

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