Japan sets route for new emperor’s celebration parade

May 22, 2019

Tokyo--The Japanese government on Tuesday set the 4.6-kilometer route for the Oct. 22 parade in Tokyo to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.

In the event, "Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi," Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will parade for about 30 minutes from the Imperial Palace to their residence, the Akasaka Estate, in a new convertible.

The parade will take place just after the "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" ceremony to proclaim his May 1 enthronement.

The route is similar to the one for the previous enthronement celebration parade for Emperor Emeritus Akihito in November 1990. Some changes were made on landscape and security grounds.

The procession will also include cars carrying Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko as well as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

At the time of the 1990 parade, some 117,000 people watched the event on the streets.

At a government committee meeting on ceremonies related to the Imperial succession Tuesday, Abe said his administration will diligently make preparations so the upcoming events will be held smoothly in a celebratory mood shared widely among the public.

The committee also decided on the program of cultural events to be held in a banquet on Oct. 23 that will be hosted by the prime minister and his wife.

Foreign leaders and other dignitaries attending the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi proclamation ceremony will participate in the banquet. Jiji Press