Tokyo, May 1 (EFE) .- The new emperor of Japan, Naruhito, today paid homage to the pacifist legacy and closeness to the town of his predecessor, Akihito, and promised to stay on this path during his first speech pronounced by inheriting the Throne of Chrysanthemum.
"Upon accessing the throne, I swear that I will have in deep consideration the course followed by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus (Akihito)," said Naruhito, who also pledged to "act in accordance with the Constitution" and "always keep in mind to the people and to support it. "
They were the first and expected words of the new emperor of Japan during a solemn audience held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo before 266 guests, including political and institutional representatives and members of the imperial family.
This brief hearing was the second official act held today to mark his ascension to the throne, after the ceremony of ritual character in which he inherited a replica of the legendary sword Kusanagi and another of a jewel of jade, as well as imperial seals, objects that They symbolize the power of the emperor.
In this way Naruhito officially became the 126th emperor of Japanese history, after formalizing on the eve of the abdication of Akihito, who said goodbye to his office thanking the people "for accepting him and for supporting him" in his functions.
Naruhito dedicated more than half of his speech to his predecessor, whose mandate will be remembered for his firm defense of Japan's pacifism after World War II, for trying to close the wounds of Japanese colonialism and for his visits to areas punished by natural disasters .
Akihito "carried out his duties with honesty for more than 30 years, while praying for the peace of the world and for the happiness of the people, and at all times sharing the joys and sorrows of the people," said Naruhito, dressed in tails. , adorned by three new decorations that were imposed today.
His audience took place in the Pine Hall of the Imperial Palace, where he was flanked by his wife, the new Empress Masako, and before a select group of guests that included the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, his Cabinet of Government and other members of the imperial family.
Dressed in a long white dress, Masako was smiling throughout the act, perhaps to clear up the doubts about her condition - officially defined as depression - that prevented her from performing official functions while she was a princess, and of which, according to the Casa Agency Imperial, continues to recover.
The audience was attended by the rest of the adult members of the Imperial Family of Japan - with the exception of emperors emeritus Akihito and Michiko, who have since been discharged from their official functions -, adding up to 12 people, of whom a dozen are women.
However, the female members of the imperial family did not attend the previous ceremony held today in which Naruhito received the Sacred Treasures and officially became emperor, because this is marked by the Japanese tradition, which also restricts men to the line successor to the throne.
Each of these two acts lasted less than ten minutes, and were developed according to imperial protocol and after almost three years of preparation, the time since Akihito expressed in a televised message his willingness to leave office at his advanced age and fragile health.
At 59, Naruhito became the second oldest emperor to reach this position, and also the first to have studied abroad after having completed a post-university research stay in Oxford (United Kingdom).
It is planned that during the rest of the day the new emperor will open his agenda of official activities, which include a first meeting with the emperor emeritus and with representatives of the imperial family.
Since all of today's events were held behind closed doors, the Japanese people will have to wait until Saturday for the first public appearance of the new emperors, when they are expected to greet from the Imperial Palace.
Next autumn, Naruhito and Masako will participate in various public events including a proclamation ceremony, a parade through the streets of Tokyo and banquets to which two thousand foreign dignitaries will be invited.
The ascension to the throne of Naruhito also marks the beginning today of a new era in the Japanese calendar, called "Reiwa" (beautiful harmony), after finishing the previous one, "Heisei" (peace), name by which it will also be known posthumously Akihito
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