Emperor Naruhito's Ascension

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4 | The Japan Times | Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Emperor Naruhito’s Ascension Ceremonies mark start of Reiwa Era

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Japan’s imperial succession entered a key stage on Wednesday with ceremonies mark- ing Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the throne, a day after his 85-year-old father abdicated as the first living Japanese monarch in over 200 years to do so. As a member of the Japanese monarchy, Emperor Naruhito can claim a number of firsts. None of the previous emperors had the experience of studying abroad, and he is also the first emperor to not be separated from his family and brought up largely by nannies. Then-Crown Prince Naruhito and then-Crown Princess Masako visit a temporary housing shelter The 59-year-old earlier signaled his intent on Sept. 26 in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, after torrential rains hit the area in July 2017. KYOdo to adapt to “the changing times,” while also saying his years with his parents would Chronology of major events related to Emperor Naruhito serve as “major guideposts” for him as he performs his nonpolitical duties as the sym- The following is a timeline of Emperor Naruhito’s life and major events that have occurred bol of the state in the years ahead. throughout it so far. “I would like to pursue my duties as the Feb. 23, 1960 — Born the eldest son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita symbol (of the state) by always being beside Emperor Naruhito kyodo Then-Crown Prince Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday with then-Crown Princess Masako at Michiko. Japanese citizens, and sharing joy and sor- Togu Palace in Tokyo in February. imperial household agency / via kyodo April 1978 — Enters Department of History, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University. row with the people,” he said at his last press The emperor entered the kindergar- April 1982 — Enters Graduate School of Humanities, Gakushuin University. conference as crown prince in February. ten of Gakushuin University in 1964 and actresses Jane Fonda and Brooke Shields to a party to welcome Spain’s Princess Elena June 1983 to Oct. 1985 — Studies in Britain at Merton College, Oxford University. Emperor Naruhito was born on Feb. 23, attended the elementary, junior high and decorate his room. on a visit to Japan. Following the return of Oct. 18, 1986 — Meets then-diplomat Masako Owada at reception for Spain’s Princess Elena. 1960, the eldest son of Emperor Emeritus high schools of the university, which was His research theme at Oxford was the his- Empress Masako, now 55, from Oxford, March 1987 — Visits Nepal, where he develops interest in issues surrounding water. Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko a established in the 19th century as a school tory of transportation on the River Thames. where she studied between 1988 and 1990, March 1988 — Completes first part of doctorate. year after their marriage. His now 84-year- for aristocrats. He published a paper titled “The Thames as a the two met again in 1992 and he proposed Jan. 7, 1989 — Moves to first in line for throne upon death of Emperor Hirohito, posthu- old mother, formerly known as Michiko “His majesty was gentle and always calm, Highway” in 1989 and was awarded an hon- later that year. mously called Emperor Showa. Shoda, was the first crown princess who and he naturally attracted people,” recalled orary Doctor of Laws degree by the univer- Their wedding took place the following Feb. 23, 1991 — Officially becomes crown prince after investiture as crown prince. was an ordinary citizen. Akihiko Imai, a friend of the emperor since sity in 1991. This expertise led to him serving year, and the couple’s only child, Princess April 1992 — Becomes visiting research fellow of the Museum of History of Gakushuin His name, Naruhito, given by his grand- junior high school. as honorary president of the U.N. Secretary- Aiko, 17, was born on Dec. 1, 2001. University. father Emperor Hirohito, posthumously In 1978, the emperor enrolled in the General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sani- The new emperor is known to have a June 9, 1993 — Marries Masako Owada. known as Emperor Showa, consists of two university’s Faculty of Letters, where he tation between 2007 and 2015. number of hobbies, including mountain February 1995 — Visits areas affected by the January Great Hanshin Earthquake. Chinese characters taken from an ancient majored in history. Before his graduation in In January 1989, he moved up to first climbing, jogging, playing tennis and skiing. Dec. 1, 2001 — Daughter, Princess Aiko, is born. book of Chinese Confucian philosophy 1982, he wrote a diploma thesis on medieval in line for the throne at the age of 28 after He plays viola and played in an orchestra Nov. 1, 2007 — Becomes honorary president of the U.N. Secretary-General’s Advisory Board and means “a man who acquires heavenly water transport throughout Japan’s Seto Emperor Emeritus Akihito ascended to during his time at Gakushuin University. on Water and Sanitation. virtues.” Inland Sea. the Chrysanthemum Throne following The emperor has participated in a variety June 2011 — Visits Miyagi Prefecture, which was hit by the March 2011 Great East Japan Unlike his father, who grew up away from After advancing to the university’s gradu- Emperor Hirohito’s death. of events and rituals, both in and outside Earthquake and tsunami. his parents in line with imperial family cus- ate school in April 1982, he studied for two Having set himself the goal of finding the Imperial Palace, sometimes on behalf March 2013 — Gives keynote speech at special U.N. session on water and disasters at U.N. tom, Emperor Naruhito; his younger brother years at Oxford University’s Merton College a partner before turning 30, he married of Emperor Emeritus Akihito in recent years. headquarters in New York. Crown Prince Akishino, 53; and younger sis- from 1983 where he lived in a dormitory for Masako Owada, a career diplomat who On the duties of a monarch, the emperor Feb. 23, 2019 — Turns 59. ter Sayako Kuroda, 50, who left the imperial the first time. spent her childhood in Moscow and New has said he believes it would be essential to May 1, 2019 — Ascends the throne upon the abdication of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. household upon marrying Yoshiki Kuroda During his stay, he said he casually vis- York, at the age of 33, in June 1993. “stand by the people, listen to their voices, KYODO in 2005, were raised by their parents. ited pubs and bought posters of American The couple first met in October 1986 at and be close to them in their thoughts.”

Embassy of Royal Danish Embassy The French Embassy Embassy of the Republic of Congo On behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark, in Japan the Gabonese Republic On behalf of the president of I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to On behalf of France, On the occasion of His Enthronement, the Republic of Congo, His Majesty the Emperor on his Ascension to I extend my sincerest congratulations to I express to His Imperial Highness I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Chrysanthemum Throne. His Majesty the Emperor on his Ascension to Emperor Naruhito, my warmest congratulations His Majesty Emperor Naruhito the Chrysanthemum Throne. on behalf of the head of state, on his Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne. government and Gabonese people.

H.E. Felix Ngoma H.E. Freddy Svane H.E. Laurent Pic H.E. Joseph Giraud Effangone-Obaghe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Republic of Ghana the Republic of Iraq the Republic of the Philippines the Russian Federation I wish to, on behalf of the government and On behalf of the Iraqi government and people, On behalf of the government and people of With warmest congratulations to people of Ghana, convey warmest congratulations to I would like to extend my sincere and the Republic of the Philippines, Emperor Naruhito on his Ascension, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito heartfelt congratulations to I convey our warmest felicitations we wish for his success, strong health and on the occasion of his Ascension to Your Majesty the Emperor on your Ascension to to His Majesty Emperor Naruhito hope for His Majesty’s highest consideration the Chrysanthemum Throne. the Chrysanthemum Throne. on his Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne. on Russian-Japanese relations.

H.E. Frank Okyere H.E. Khalil Ismail Al Mosawi H.E. Jose C. Laurel V H.E. Mikhail Galuzin Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

PAGE: 4 Wednesday, May 1, 2019 | The Japan Times | 5 Emperor Naruhito’s Ascension

Then-Crown Prince Naruhito plays viola at a concert in an orchestra of Gakushuin University graduates in Tokyo on Dec . 9, 2018. kyodo Then-Crown Prince Naruhito and then-Crown Princess Masako wave during their wedding parade on June 9, 1993. kyodo

Members of the imperial family walk together at an imperial garden party in April 2018. kyodo

The then-crown prince and princess are welcomed home to Togu Palace by Princess Aiko after their trip to Tonga in July 2015. kyodo

Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne Then-Crown Prince Naruhito is greeted by Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in June, The imperial family takes a walk in the Numappara Marshland, Tochigi Prefecture, in August 2017, during a visit to Denmark to celebrate 150 years of Then-Crown Prince Naruhito runs around Akasaka Estate 2002. kyodo bilateral diplomatic ties. kyodo in Tokyo in March 2008. kyodo Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Bashir Mohabbat Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne The Royal Embassy of Embassy of Sri Lanka Royal Thai Embassy Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka looks forward to continuing in Tokyo On behalf of the government and people of the warm Japan-Sri Lanka friendship cultivated at On behalf of the Royal Thai government and people, Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference. I wish to extend our warmest congratulations I would like to extend my sincere We wish your country lasting on Emperor Naruhito’s Ascension to the throne and the Republic of Angola congratulations and utmost wishes to peace and prosperity. the beginning of the Reiwa Era. H.E. Rui Orlando Ferreira de Ceita da Silva Xavier Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on his Ascension.

Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne

Embassy of H.E. Nayef Mrzouq Alfahadi H.E. Dammika Ganganath Disanayake H.E. Bansarn Bunnag the Republic of Armenia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Grant Pogosyan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga the Republic of Turkey the United Arab Emirates On behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI and On behalf of the Turkish nation, Based on the solid bilateral relationship Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u, I wish this new era will bring further between our two friendly countries, the government and people of Tonga, prosperity to the Japanese nation and convey to the government and people of the UAE convey we respectfully extend our congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor their most cordial congratulations and warm wishes His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on his Ascension. personal health and happiness. to His Imperial Majesty Naruhito. ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) ACT extends its heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito H.E. Tania Laumanulupe 'o Talafolika Fusitu'a H.E. Hasan Murat Mercan H.E. Khaled Alameri on the occasion of His Majesty’s Ascension Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

PAGE: 5 6 | The Japan Times | Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Emperor Naruhito’s Ascension A lifelong passion for water studies

The emperor has made dozens of trips even by just walking on a path in the Aka- went to Nepal the following year for his eriko arita Then-Crown Prince staff writer and official visits to foreign countries since saka Estate, especially because I was not official visit where he developed interest in Naruhito addresses his first overseas trip when he visited Aus- allowed to go outside freely,” he wrote. He issues surrounding water. the U.N.’s Special Emperor Naruhito, who ascends the Chry- tralia in 1974. also noted that reading “Narrow Road to The emperor wrote in his recently pub- Thematic Session on santhemum Throne on Wednesday follow- As the first in the direct line of succession the Deep North,” the 17th-century travel lished book titled “Suiunshi Kara Sekai no Water and Disasters ing the abdication of his father, Emperor to the Chrysanthemum Throne to study diary by haiku poet Matsuo Basho, deep- Mizu e” (“From the history of water trans- in New York on Nov. Emeritus Akihito on Tuesday, is the first abroad, the emperor went to the United ened his interest in transportation. port to the world’s water”) that he saw 18, 2015. He is an emperor who has studied outside Japan. Kingdom in 1983 and spent two years liv- In his memoir, he wrote that he wanted to people carrying water on a mountain in expert on water He is known for his wide range of interests ing in a dormitory and studying at Oxford research water transport in the U.K. in asso- Nepal. issues and recently in foreign countries and also for his com- University’s Merton College. ciation with his studies on medieval water “Many women and children were gath- published a book, a passionate personality. The emperor’s memoir of his experience transport in the Seto Inland Sea during his ering around a tap to collect a bit of water compilation of his While the public might have a refined in Oxford, “Temuzu to Tomoni” (“With the time at Gakushuin University in Tokyo. from it. Collecting water is really hard speeches on such and solemn image of the emperor, he is Thames”), was released in 1993, and trans- His writings detail not only his academic work and I wondered how long it takes to issues over the last 30 sociable and has a good sense of humor lated into English as “The Thames and I: A experience, but also his student life. fill their jars with water,” he wrote. “This years. KYODO in his writings recounting entertaining Memoir of Two Years at Oxford” in 2006. In In one episode, the emperor recalled scene is what comes to mind when I con- anecdotes. He is also an expert on water the book, he explained that he researched doing his own laundry for the first time. sider water issues, issues and it is expected the emperor the history of transportation on the River “Following the instructions, I put the Many women and I think it is the dent of the U. N. Secretary General’s Advi- water issues to the world as his duty,” will play somewhat of a new role as the Thames because he has been interested in clothes into the machine, added detergent and children starting point of my sory Board on Water and Sanitation from Koyama wrote. symbol of the state while carrying out his transportation since his childhood. and inserted coins. Returning after about were gathering activities.” 2007 to 2015. The emperor’s consideration is nonpolitical duties. “I could take a trip to an unknown world 40 minutes, I found the floor was covered around a tap In this compila- The emperor has given speeches, mostly expressed in his book when he insisted with bubbles, and the bubbles were appar- tion of the emperor’s based on what he learned at places he further efforts are required to improve the ently flowing from my machine,” he wrote. to collect a bit speeches over the last visited, according to a book titled “Shin- situation where many people do not have “One nearby student was looking stunned. of water from 30 years, he shared in tenno to Nihonjin” (“New Emperor and access to sanitary facilities and tackle global He said: ‘Is this yours? The bubbles are it. ... This scene his introduction that Japanese”) written in November by Taisei warming and natural disasters. overflowing.’” is what comes his interest in water Koyama, one of his friends from Gakushuin “As it is believed that water issues asso- However embarrassing, the emperor to mind when developed further kindergarten. ciated with massive tsunami and global wrote it was good he cleaned up the water since serving as hon- “His highness has been researching at warming are becoming more and more and was able to become acquainted with I consider orary president of the places by making use of his invitations for serious now and in the near future, intensi- the German student after apologizing. water issues, Third World Water official duties,” Koyama wrote. fied measures are called for. I myself will In another episode, the emperor intro- and I think it Forum in 2003. At the Regarding the emperor’s research that continue to have sympathy for those who duced conversations with his friends at the is the starting forum held in areas he started as a history major at Gakushuin are in difficult situations in Japan and the dorm. One day, his friends asked him what point of my around Lake Biwa University, Koyama, who is a sociologist, rest of the world,” he wrote. the Japanese word for “your highness” was. activities. and the Yodo River, wrote there were people who opposed the Kenzo Hiroki, professor at the National “Then I taught them I am ‘denka.’ Then the emperor gave a emperor’s history research because it could Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, who I foolishly point to a light in the ceiling speech on the trans- lead to researching the history of the impe- has given advice to the emperor on water and said it was ‘denki,’ not ‘denka’ and told portation of the lake and river water in rial family and the roots of the nation. issues, said the emperor’s past activities on them not to confuse them,” he wrote. “I ancient and medieval times. Since then, he “It was because if he were to research the the issues would shape his role. realized I shouldn’t have said it, but it was has made keynote speeches at four World history specifically, it could lead to many “He always has had an idea of trying too late. They liked to point at me and say Water Forums and sent video messages to inconsistencies (in the imperial history),” to bond with the disadvantaged through denki and to point at the light and call it two. Koyama wrote, adding that he entered water issues. His experiences will be of denka.” The emperor also gave lectures at the the history department of the university help to him after ascending the throne,” After returning to Japan in 1985, the U.N.’s Special Thematic Session on Water against such opposition. Hiroki said. Then-Crown Prince Naruhito talks with his friends at Oxford University’s Merton College in emperor resumed his studies at Gakushuin and Disasters in New York in 2013 and “It seems the crown prince, as next December 1983. He spent two years living in a dormitory and studying at the university. KYODO University’s graduate school in 1986 and 2015 and he also served as honorary presi- emperor of Japan, considers presenting Information from Kyodo added.

Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor Congratulations to Your Majesty the Emperor on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on your Ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne

Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain the Republic of Benin the Plurinational State of Bolivia the Republic of Djibouti H.E. Ahmed Aldoseri H.E. Makarimi Abissola Adechoubou Angela Ayllon H.E. Ahmed Araita Ali Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Charge d'Affaires a.i. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

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Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Republic of Malawi the Republic of Maldives the Islamic Republic of Mauritania the Republic of Mozambique H.E. Grenenger K.M. Banda H.E. Ibrahim Uvais H.E. El Hacen Eleyatt H.E. Jose Maria Morais Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of the Republic Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of of the Union of Myanmar the Federal Republic of Nigeria the Republic of Panama the State of Qatar H.E. Thurain Thant Zin H.E. Mohammed Gana Yisa H.E. Ritter Diaz H.E. Hassan Bin Mohammed Rafei Al-Emadi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

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