Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially accedes to the throne

Crown Prince Naruhito was inaugurated Wednesday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan's new Emperor, the day after the abdication of his father, Akihito, the first of a Japanese ruler since 1817.

Naruhito officially made his first obligations on Wednesday as the 126th Emperor of Japan, promising to always stand "beside the people", the day after the abdication of his father Akihito. During a highly codified six-minute ceremonial, alongside his younger brother who became Crown Prince, the new 59-year-old ruler, dressed in a tailcoat and wearing attributes (a large necklace and decorations ), declared his accession to the Chrysanthemum throne.

He was symbolically attributed royal seals "and sacred treasures, a sword, a jewel and a mirror, whose possession formalizes his status as emperor, before an audience from which the women of the imperial family were excluded. The only guest was Shinzo Abe's only female minister of government. The Emperor then delivered his first speech, this time in the presence of his wife Masako, wearing a diamond-set tiara, and a larger audience of just over 260 personalities. "I pledge to act in accordance with the Constitution and to fulfill my obligations as a symbol of the State and the unity of the people, always having the people in mind and always standing at their side," solemnly declared Naruhito. He also said his "respect" for his father's attitude for 30 years of reign, which "shared the joys and sorrows of the people" and testified his "compassion". Akihito, now emperor emeritus, was absent.....