Japan puts off emperor’s enthronement parade to Nov. 10

October 18, 2019

Tokyo--The Japanese government at a cabinet meeting Friday decided to put off a parade to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's enthronement from Tuesday to Nov. 10.

The postponement of the "Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi" parade came after wide areas in eastern and central Japan suffered serious damage from Typhoon Hagibis, which struck last weekend.

Enthronement-linked events other than the parade are expected to take place as scheduled as a number of foreign dignitaries have been invited.

For 2019 only, Oct. 22, when the "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" ceremony for proclaiming Emperor Naruhito's enthronement is slated to take place, is designated by law as a national holiday. The postponement of the parade, originally scheduled for the day, does not affect this.

In the parade on Nov. 10, which is a Sunday, a convertible car carrying Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward at 3 p.m. (6 a.m. GMT) and spend some 30 minutes traveling about 4.6 kilometers to the Akasaka Estate in neighboring Minato Ward, where their residence is located. The parade will start 30 minutes earlier than originally planned, reflecting the shorter day.

Earlier this week, the Imperial Household Agency said that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako feel deep sorrow over the damage caused by the typhoon, which has left about 90 people dead or missing and injured a number of others.

For the rescheduling of the parade, the government also took into account the key "Daijosai" thanksgiving ceremony on Nov. 14-15, to be performed by Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne on May 1.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stressed at a news conference Friday that the postponement is based on the judgment of the cabinet.

Conducting the parade on a Sunday will make it easier for people to watch the event along its route or on television, he said, adding that the government also considered the effects of traffic controls and the schedules of other Imperial Family events. Jiji Press