Costs for “Daijosai” Imperial Rite to Total 2.7 B. Yen

December 21, 2018

Tokyo--Japan's Imperial Household Agency said Friday expenses for "Daijosai," a key ceremony performed by Crown Prince Naruhito next year after his accession to the throne, will total 2,719 million yen, up 470 million yen from the previous rite held in 1990.

The agency plans to scale down the "Daijokyu" complex to be used for the ceremony in a bid to reduce spending, but steep growth in personnel and materials costs will push up the total outlays.

The government set aside 1,866 million yen in spending for Daijosai in its draft budget for fiscal 2019, which starts in April.

In Daijosai, regarded as the most important enthronement-related ceremony a new Emperor performs, he offers prayers for the well-being of the people and a good harvest.

The coming ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 14-15, 2019, will be held after Crown Prince Naruhito assumes the throne on May 1 that year following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, the day before.

Expenses for construction of the Daijokyu complex, including costs for dismantlement, will stand at 1,907 million yen, up 31 pct from the 1990 ceremony.

The rise reflects the consumption tax hike from 3 pct to the current 8 pct and to 10 pct set for October 2019, as well as a hefty increase of 30 to 80 pct in personnel costs.

The agency estimated that Daijokyu construction would cost some 2.5 billion yen if the complex is built to the same size and uses the same materials as in the previous ceremony.

It curtailed the related expenses by about 600 million yen through a cut of more than 20 pct in the size of the complex and changes to the materials used for the roofs of the main three structures in the complex.

Costs for "Daikyo-no-Gi" grand banquets to be held after Daijosai will total 258 million yen, down from 347 million yen in 1990. There will be two grand banquets, down from three to two, while the number of guests will be reduced from some 900 to 700.

Total outlays related to Imperial succession ceremonies will stand at 3,784 million yen, up 42 pct from 2,662 million yen in the previous time.

The agency's draft budget for fiscal 2019 increased 12.8 pct from the previous year to 24,064 million yen. Jiji Press