JAPAN’S new Emperor Naruhito yesterday completed his ascension to the ancient Chrysanthemum Throne in a solemn, ritual-bound ceremony performed before hundreds of dignitaries in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

“I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad,” Naruhito said from inside an elaborately adorned structure housing his throne, with his wife Empress Masako alongside him standing before her own throne.

A powerful typhoon that hit Japan earlier this month, killing dozens, forced the cancellation of a huge parade, but the rest of the day’s events went ahead with the pomp and tradition of a dynasty that claims more than 2,000 years of history.

The royal family filed into the palace’s Pine Room dressed in heavy robes, with the women sporting sculpted wigs topped with golden headpieces.

Set in the center of the room were the two structures housing the thrones, draped with purple curtains that were ceremonially opened to reveal the royal couple standing within.

Naruhito wore an outfit topped with a voluminous copper robe and a rarely seen black headpiece, while Masako wore a multi-layered kimono, trailed by attendants to help her move in the weighty outfit.

The ceremony 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.

“I hereby pledge that I will always pray for the happiness of Japanese people and world peace and, by standing by the Japanese people, I will fulfil my duty as the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the people of Japan,” added Naruhito.

(SD-Agencies)