Naruhito’s accession may be non-working day

February 12, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government is considering designating the date for proclaiming Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne, expected for October next year, as a nonworking day, informed sources said.

The move is designed to make the "Sokuirei Seiden no Gi" proclamation ceremony a celebratory event for Japanese people, the sources said.

Sokuirei Seiden no Gi is core part of "Sokui no Rei" enthronement ceremonies for Crown Prince Naruhito.

Emperor Akihito's Sokuirei Seiden no Gi was held on Nov. 12, 1990, which was designated as a nonworking day. The ceremony was attended by about 2,200 guests, and he later staged the "Shukuga Onretsu no Gi" parade in Tokyo.

The government is also considering designating May 1, 2019, the planned date for Crown Prince Naruhito's rise to the throne, as a national holiday or a nonworking day. Emperor Akihito is scheduled to abdicate on April 30, 2019.

If the enthronement day becomes a holiday, the move will allow 10 consecutive days off under the national holidays law stipulating that a weekday between national holidays is designated a nonworking day. Jiji Press