It’s supposed to take place in the fall, Kyodo reports.
The Japanese government made an official decision on Tuesday to postpone the ceremonies for the proclamation of Prince Akishino as heir to the throne due to the danger of infecting the new coronavirus. At a meeting of the Cabinet, however, they concluded that they should be held within a year, presumably in autumn, reports the news agency Kyodo.
The Government of Japan announced in March that the presentation of the new Crown Prince Akishino to the country and the world will take place on April 19. The main ceremony was to be held at the Imperial Palace in downtown Tokyo in the presence of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the leadership of Parliament and the Supreme Court. With the spread of the infection, it was planned to invite around 50 people to the ceremony, far fewer than previously thought. Also, a banquet in honour of the new heir to the throne was cancelled due to the threat of infection.
Prince Akishino, 54, is the younger brother of the new Japanese Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne on May 1, 2019, when their father, now former Emperor Akihito, voluntarily resigned. Akishino was now first in line for the throne. Second in line is his son, the 13-year-old Prince Hisahito.
Tokyo and its six other prefectures have been in an emergency situation (EMERCOM) since 8 April. Many entertainment facilities, bars and other crowded places are already closed in this area. Their lists are determined by prefectural governors, and the conditions for implementing the emergency regime vary from one area to another.
The authorities are urging the population not to leave their homes unnecessarily, but the permit system and other strict restrictions are not yet in place.
The total number of detected cases of coronavirus infection in Japan has so far reached 8,400, including passengers and crew of the American cruise liner Diamond Princess, which had been quarantined for a month at Yokohama port. 155 patients with coronavirus died.