The enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito of Japan was held on 22 October at the Seiden State Hall of the Imperial Palace, officially proclaiming him as the Emperor in Japan. The Imperial succession had already taken place on 1 May following the abdication of Emperor Akihito, the first such event in almost 200 years. Attended by leaders and representatives from about 180 countries along with heads of judicial, legislative and executive branches of government and representatives of various sectors of society, the Emperor, wearing a formal court dress traditionally worn by emperors called korozen-no-goho, stated: “I now perform the Ceremony of Enthronement at the Seiden State Hall and proclaim my enthronement to those at home and abroad.”

This was the main event of the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of the Emperor. The Emperor pledged to fulfill his responsibility as the symbol of the state and to wish for the happiness of the people. The Empress wore a junihitoe, a ceremonial robe from the Heian period (late 8th to late 12th century). The Imperial Procession by motorcar was postponed to 10 November. The enthronement ceremony is called Sokuirei-Seiden- no-Go in Japanese. The abdicated Emperor, called now as Emperor Emeritus, was on throne for more than 30 years and had constantly prayed for the happiness of the people and world peace, always sharing the joys and sorrows of the people, and showing compassion through his own bearing.

Reflecting on this experience of Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito pledged to act according to the Constitution and fulfill his responsibility as the symbol of state and of the unity of the people of Japan. He hoped that Japan through its people’s “wisdom and unceasing efforts, will “achieve further development and contribute to the friendship and peace of the international community and the welfare and prosperity of humankind”. Keeping with tradition, the government sent invitations to 194 countries that Japan recognises as states for the ceremony. The only exception was Syria due to concerns over the atrocious repression by the regime of President Bashar Assad. Of the 194 countries, 183 sent representatives to attend the ceremony.

In addition, the government sent invitations to the United Nations, the European Union and the Palestinian Authority. The number of countries Japan sent invitations this time increased by about 30 compared with the previous enthronement proclamation ceremony held in 1990, the year after the Heisei era began, mainly because a number of countries had declared their independence following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. More than 70 countries sent to the ceremony their Heads of State, such as Kings and Presidents, while royal family members, Heads of Government, ministers and ambassadors to Japan were guests to attend the ceremony. India was represented by President Ramnath Kovind and his wife. Prime Minister Abe had a busy schedule meeting many foreign dignitaries.

And they included the Maldives President Ibrahim Solih, Nepal’s President Bidhya Bhandari and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Abe held talks with 23 dignitaries, including the Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan, during which the two discussed pending issues between the two countries ahead of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s state visit next spring. Abe also had talks with the South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, during which they discussed the wartime labour issue. The Emperor has deep ties with Britain as he studied at the University of Oxford. Prince Charles attended the proclamation ceremony, as he did in 1990, when he was accompanied by Princess Diana.

The Emperor had attended the wedding of Spain’s King Felipe VI, who too was present along with his wife Queen Letizia during the ceremony. Among other leaders who represented their countries were Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam reached Tokyo on 21 October and departed the following day because she has been preoccupied with the prolonged and widespread protests triggered by a contentious bill to revise an ordinance to allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite crime suspects to mainland China for prosecution. Why is the enthronement ceremony significant and why is it important for the Japanese people? The ceremony is centuries- old and the Japanese have preserved this with respect and pride for thousands of years.

It is deep-rooted with Japanese history and culture and therefore treated with reverence. The series of rituals known as Sokui no Rei was quite elaborate. While Emperor Naruhito (59) and Empress Masako (55) were seated in two ornately decorated thrones, the brother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 83-year-old Prince Hitachi, and third in line of succession, watched the proceedings from a wheelchair. Prime Minister Abe stood before Naruhito’s throne, and read a speech. He then bowed deeply and said Banzai (Long live the emperor!). As Naruhito ascended the throne, boxes were placed next to him. These are believed to contain a sword and ancient jewel that, according to legend, date back to the mythical forefather of Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu, who ruled almost 2,700 years ago.

Along with a fabled octagonal mirror, they form Japan’s royal regalia, or the Three Sacred Treasures. The sword and the jewel are so sacred that they have never been seen in public. The celebrations were tempered somewhat as Japan was reeling from Typhoon Hagibis ~ one of the strongest storms to hit the country in years. The typhoon left over 80 dead and caused extensive damage after it smashed into the country in early October. The devastation prompted the palace to postpone a 4.6-kilometer (2.9-mile) public parade from the Imperial Palace to Akasaka Palace until 10 November. As a special gesture, the government pardoned about 550,000 petty criminals to mark the emperor’s enthronement ceremony.

In the Chrysanthemum traditions, Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan, the latest in an unbroken line that stretches back 14 centuries. The accession in May also signaled officially the start of the Reiwa era. Each emperor’s reign is marked by the name of that era. Reiwa was adopted from an 8th century anthology of classic poetry and means “beautiful harmony”. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the role of the emperor has changed significantly when Naruhito’s grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, sat on the throne. Once considered the living embodiment of gods, the Emperor has become a largely symbolic figure. Unlike other monarchs, Naruhito is a symbol of the state rather than the Head of State, and the Japanese emperor wields no political power.

(The writer, a former Senior Fellow at IDSA and until recently ICCR India Chair Professor at Reitaku University, Japan, is currently Lok Sabha Research Fellow and Member of Governing Council, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi)