October 23, 2019

The government on October 22 held a set of ceremonies pertaining to new Emperor Naruhito's enthronement at the Imperial Palace. The Japanese Communist Party did not attend the main ritual and the banquet in order to adhere strictly to the Constitution.

The JCP had been requesting a review of the event on the grounds that it conflicts with the principle of the present Constitution, but no reconsideration took place.

The main event, "Enthronement Ceremony", replicated the procedure as done in the prewar ritual. Looking up at the Emperor (Tenno), Prime Minister Abe Shinzo pledged his nation-building efforts and closed his oath by crying out, "Long live the Tenno!" This unusual scene looked as if they were prewar/wartime Tenno and his subject, violating the principle of popular sovereignty under the postwar Japanese Constitution.

According to the government, the budget for the series of enthronement ceremonies totals 16.74 billion yen, up 30% from the previous ascension (12.4 billion yen).

Past related articles:
> JCP will not attend accession ceremonies for new emperor: Koike [October 10, 2019]
> Shii in Q & A session comments on celebration of coronation of new emperor & emperor system [May 10, 2019]