Emperor Naruhito inherited the sacred sword and jewel that signalled his succession and pledged in his first public address Wednesday to follow his father's example by devoting himself to peace and sharing the people's joys and sorrows.
Naruhito, the first modern emperor to have studied abroad and the first born after Japan's defeat in World War II, formally succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne at midnight after his father Akihito abdicated Tuesday.
Naruhito is considered a new breed of royal, his outlook forged by the tradition-defying choices of his parents. Emperor Emeritus Akihito devoted his three-decade career to making amends for a war fought in his father's name while bringing the aloof monarchy closer to the people. Naruhito's mother, Michiko, was born a commoner and was Catholic educated. Together, they reached out to the people, especially those who faced disability, discrimination and natural disasters.
Nevertheless, Japan festively celebrated an imperial succession prompted by retirement rather than death. Many people stood outside the palace Tuesday to reminisce about Akihito's era; others joined midnight events when the transition occurred, and more came to celebrate the beginning of Naruhito's reign.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Naruhito on his ascension, pledging to create a "bright future" during the new era that is peaceful and full of hope. The emperor under Japan's Constitution is a symbol without political power. Wartime militarist governments worshipped the emperor as a living god until Naruhito's grandfather renounced that status after Japan's 1945 war defeat.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Japan's Naruhito in 1st speech vows to stay close to peopleJapan's new Emperor Naruhito inherited Imperial regalia and seals as proof of his succession and pledged in his first public address Wednesday to follow his father's example in devoting himself to peace and staying close to the people.
Read more »
Departing Japanese Emperor Akihito thanks the people, prays for peaceAkihito was the first monarch to take the Chrysanthemum Throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power
Read more »
Emperor announces abdication as Japan marks end of eraJapanese Emperor Akihito announced his abdication at a palace ceremony Tuesday in his final address, as the nation embraced the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for a new era.
Read more »
Japan police: Man put knives on desk of emperor's grandsonJapanese police on Monday arrested a man linked to knives found on the school desk of Emperor Akihito's 12-year-old grandson.
Read more »
Key questions and answers about Japan emperor's abdicationJapan's 85-year-old Emperor Akihito ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday when he abdicates to his son Crown Prince Naruhito. He's the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years.
Read more »
With a new emperor, Japan's male-centric royal rules are under scrutiny - Macleans.caEmperor Akihito's abdication exposes the fragile underpinnings of the world’s oldest monarchy
Read more »
Important emperor penguin breeding ground has gone barren since 2016Scientists blame the sharp decline on climate and weather conditions that made the breeding home less stable
Read more »
''Complete breeding failure' at Antarctic emperor penguin havenFor the past three years, virtually nothing has hatched at Antarctica's second biggest breeding grounds for emperor penguins and the start of this year is looking just as bleak.
Read more »
Antarctic breeding ground falls silent: Where are the emperor penguins?For the past three years, virtually nothing has hatched at Antarctica’s second biggest breeding grounds for emperor penguins
Read more »