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INDEX

  • Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi
  • Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi
  • Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi
  • Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi
  • Choken-no-gi
  • Choken-no-gi

December 2020

Ceremonies for Proclamation of Crown Prince

Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi

At the Imperial Palace on November 8, 2020, the Rikkoshi-no-rei (Ceremonies for Proclamation of Crown Prince) were held as an act of the Emperor in matter of state based on the Constitution of Japan. The Rikkoshi-no-rei are comprised of two ceremonies, the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi (Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince), which was held in the morning, and the Choken-no-gi (First Audience), which was held in the afternoon.

Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi

The Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi is the ceremony held for the Emperor to proclaim that Prince Akishino has become the Crown Prince and for the representatives from home and abroad to express felicitations. The ceremony was attended by about 50 invitees, including representatives of the three powers (the Diet, the Cabinet and the Judiciary) and local municipalities, and the Dean of the diplomatic corps.

His Majesty the Emperor declared, “Today, I hereby perform the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi, Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince, in accordance with the Imperial Household Law, and proclaim to those at home and abroad that Prince Akishino is Crown Prince.”

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince said, “I am filled with the deepest awe and gratitude at being proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, at this Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I will discharge my duties solemnly bearing in mind my responsibilities as Crown Prince.”

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide stated, “I wish to state respectfully that Your Majesty the Emperor, today, performed the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi and proclaimed to those at home and abroad that Prince Akishino has become the Crown Prince. We wish to express congratulations from the bottom of our hearts. Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have supported Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita while committing sincerely to activities of the Imperial Family such as visits to areas struck by disasters and promotion of international goodwill. The people of Japan have a deep respect for Their Imperial Highnesses, who meet and are on an intimate footing with the people. That the Rikkoshi-no-rei is being held in this manner brings us great pleasure. We express our best wishes for the Imperial Household to flourish further.”

Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi


Choken-no-gi

Following the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi, the Choken-no-gi (First Audience) was held. The Choken-no-gi is the ceremony in which His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress meet the Crown Prince for the first time after the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince.

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince thanked His Majesty the Emperor, saying, “I am filled with the deepest awe and gratitude at having been proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, today at the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I will continue to discharge my duties to the best of my ability now that I have been proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince. I wish here to express most respectfully my humblest gratitude.”

His Majesty the Emperor said, “It gives me great joy that the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi, Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince was performed today. It is my hope that you will meet the expectations of the people and successfully fulfill the duties as Crown Prince, fully drawing on what you have cultivated.”

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince thanked Her Majesty the Empress, saying, “I am truly grateful to have been graciously granted by His Majesty the Emperor the great honour of being proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, today at the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I wish here to express most respectfully my humblest gratitude.”

Her Majesty the Empress said, “I am delighted that the ceremony today has been performed smoothly. I hope that you will continue to fulfill your duties in good health.”

Choken-no-gi