President Arif Alvi participates as Japan emperor formally proclaims enthronement.

TOKYO -- Dressed in a ceremonial outfit dominated by a draped outer robe in copper, Emperor Naruhito has formally proclaimed his enthronement in front of royals and leaders from around the world and announced, "I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad."

The event was conducted largely in silence, with only drums and gongs sounding. Some 2,000 guests, including foreign dignitaries and royalty, stood at the sound of a deep drum beat before the proclamation began.

When the ceremony was complete, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cried "Banzai!" ("long live the emperor") three times.

Naruhito officially assumed his duties as emperor on May 1, the day after his father became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in two centuries.

But the transition was not complete until his new role was officially proclaimed.

In the wake of Typhoon Hagibis, the government postponed a royal parade until November 10, but the rest of the day s...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT