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Japan, Tokyo – The Japanese public will have the chance to meet the new emperor on May 4, just days after Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne, imperial agency officials said Monday.
Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate on April 30 — the first living Japanese monarch to do so in about two centuries — and the crown prince will succeed him the following day.
The Imperial Household Agency had planned to allow commoners to make congratulatory visits to the Imperial Palace after “Sokuirei Seiden no Gi”, a ceremony on Oct. 22 to proclaim the enthronement.
But it decided to bring this forward given Japan’s traditional Golden Week holiday — starting April 27 — is this year extended to 10 days, to incorporate the abdication of the emperor on April 30 and the imperial succession the following day.
The prime minister’s office also strongly requested the public greeting be held earlier, according to agency sources.
Source and full English article: Japan Today
https://japantoday.com/category/national/New-emperor-to-greet-public-earlier-than-planned
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