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 KYODO 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 mon- arch 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.