Japan’s monarch to make first public appearance in May

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Japan’s new emperor will make his first public appearance May 4, months ahead of the actual schedule, the Japanese monarchy said Monday.

Current Emperor Akihito will abdicate April 30 and will be succeeded by his 59-year-old eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito.

In a rare video message, Akihito expressed his desire to abdicate for health reasons in 2016, and said he might not be able to fulfill his official duties. A year later, Japan enacted legislation enabling him to step down.

Akihito will be first living Japanese monarch to abdicate in two centuries.

According to Japan Today online newspaper, a statement from the Japanese Imperial Household Agency, commoners were scheduled to make congratulatory visits to the Imperial Palace after “Sokuirei Seiden no Gi” -- a ceremony Oct. 22 to proclaim the enthronement.

But “it was decided to bring it forward” given Japan's traditional Golden Week holiday that begins April 27 “is extended this year to 10 days to incorporate the abdication of the emperor Akihito and the imperial succession,” the newspaper said.

The Imperial Household Agency said the prime minister's office also requested to hold the ceremony ahead of the schedule.

“The new emperor and the empress are expected to appear on a palace balcony along with other members of the imperial family, with the emperor delivering a speech,” according to Japan Today.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who will become emperor emeritus and empress emerita following the abdication, “are not expected to attend”, it added.

Akihito ascended the throne at age 55 when his father emperor Hirohito died Jan. 7, 1989.

Japanese imperial palace is opened to the public on limited occasions including New Year's Day and the emperor's birthday.

In Japan, the emperor is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, while sovereign power rests with the people who elect their representatives to run the government.