Japan enters a new era: Emperor Akihito celebrated the ceremony of abdication

The Emperor of Japan Akihito performed the abdication ceremony on Tuesday, the first for more than two centuries for the oldest monarchy in the world.

Akihito pbaded the chrysanthemum throne to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, after a series of solemn rituals that mark the beginning of a new imperial era.

Akihito he said that he feels "lucky" to have developed his functions "with a deep sense of trust and respect for the people."

"Today, I am finishing my duties as Emperor", said the Emperor of Japan at the beginning of his brief speech at the ceremony that was held today at Imperial Palace before 294 participants, including representatives of the royal family and the three branches of government.

After thanking the Prime Minister of Japan for his words, Shinzo Abe, who preceded him in the ceremony he also wanted to thank the Japanese people "for having supported and accepted in its role as a symbol of the state".

Akihito, 85, He therefore addressed those present at the abdication ceremony, a little over ten minutes, in the Pino Hall, the tallest and tallest of the imperial palace of Tokyo.

Before his intervention, the chamberlains presented two of the three sacred treasures that Akihito kept during his three decades on the throne and which symbolize the power, in addition to imperial seals used to sign official documents.

The act ended on leaving Akihito Hall, accompanied by the chamberlains who carried the treasure chests, followed by Michiko and other adult members of the imperial family.

Akihito will remain Emperor until midnight, when the country will enter a new era, Reiwa ("beautiful harmony"), after three decades of Heisei era ("establishment of peace").

The rituals started earlier on Tuesday, when Akihito, dressed in a gilded brown tunic and a big black hat, appeared in front of a growing crowd gathering, despite a beautiful mist in front of the imperial palace, the ritual of "informing" from his abdication to his ancestors in several Shinto shrines.

This is the first time in two centuries that a Japanese emperor gives his place to life, under an exception law tailored to Akihito.

In mid-2016, the emperor said he wanted to leave the throne because he could no longer exercise "body and mind" because of his age (now 85 years old) and his state of health .

It is the government that has decided the date of the abdication and all that surrounds it, process during which the imperial family has no voice nor voted.

The Japanese population is preparing for historic celebrations and almost unprecedented because this time the nation does not cry the death of a sovereign. Yes, it was in 1989 (death of Hirohito, also called Emperor Showa), in 1926 (by Emperor Taisho) and in 1912 (by Emperor Meiji).

The main ceremonies, very formal, will last only two days (April 30 and May 1) and will take place in the most beautiful hall of the imperial palace. They will be broadcast by the public broadcaster NHK.

Public gatherings are planned in the vicinity of the Imperial Palace and Shinto shrines., religion by which part of the imperial rites is governed.

There will be more acts on the occasion of the transfer of the throne in the next few months, especially in the autumn, with the help of heads of state and many personalities.

"There are several stages in succession ceremonies that do not actually appear in any law", recently explained editorialist and historian Eiichi Miyashiro. "The meaning of these ceremonies is difficult to understand and most of the Japanese do not know", he added.

Akihito and his wife Machiko made their last pilgrimages to a country they traveled for three decades. especially to comfort the victims after the natural disasters of the era of his reign.

Emperors are respected in the country for their proximity to the citizens.

L & # 39; emperatriMichiko arouses a "great enthusiasm" and he has won the affection "for example by shaking hands"said Hideya Kawanishi, a professor at Nagoya University.

They become emperor and empress emeritus and yield the imperial palace to Naruhito and his wife Masako, aged 59 and 55 respectively.

Naruhito will become the new "symbol of the people and the unity of the nation", according to the definition of the Constitution entered into force in 1947 and with which the emperor lost his status of demi-god.

Naruhito promises to follow in his father's footsteps. He has made it clear that he will continue to work for future generations to experience the abuses of Japan during the war and support the victims of natural disasters.

According to the experts, it will not be enough to leave a mark, but his concern over the problem of water on Earth could make his role more international.