Tokyo embassy celebrates enthronement of new Emperor of Japan

AMMAN — The Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi held a reception at the ambassador’s residence on Thursday to celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, which took place on May 1. At the reception, Ambassador Yanagi and Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud presented words of congratulations for the enthronement of the 59 year-old new emperor in the presence of HRH Prince Raad and Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah, an embassy statement said.

Emperor Akihito, who abdicated on April 30 at the age of 85 by his own wish, would be the emperor emeritus from now on. It was the first time in 202 years to see an emperor abdicate. With the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, his younger brother Prince Fumihito, 53, will be the crown prince, according to the statement.

"Japan is a unique country which still uses the name of era for the reign of each emperor, in parallel with the Western calendar. We call the era of Emperor Akihito which lasted about 30 years long as 'Heisei', while the new era was named 'Reiwa' starting from May 1st. Japan is now in the middle of 10 consecutive days of holiday from April 27 to May 6 to celebrate the enthronement," according to the statement.

Since the birthday of Emperor Naruhito is February 23, the next Japanese national day will be around February 23, 2020 as the first national day in the “Reiwa” era, instead of December in “Heisei” era. 

"Thanks to the strong ties between our Imperial family and the Royal Family of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, we have the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year. We strongly hope that the relationship between Jordan and Japan will be closer and closer," the statement said.