2019 Japanese imperial transition participant Akihito
The 2019 Japanese imperial transition occurred on 30 April 2019 when the then 85-year-old Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated from the Chrysanthemum Throne after reigning for 30 years, becoming the first Emperor of Japan to do so since 1817. This marked the end of the Heisei era and the inception of the Reiwa era, and saw numerous festivities leading up to the accession of his son and successor, Emperor Naruhito. The Enthronement Ceremony took place on 22 October 2019. Akihito's younger son, Prince Akishino, is his brother's heir presumptive. The ceremony cost 16.6 billion Yen.Emperor and Constitution
Background
In 2010, Emperor Akihito informed his advisory council that he would eventually like to retire from his position. However, no action was taken by senior members of the Imperial Household Agency.On 13 July 2016, national broadcaster NHK reported that the Emperor wished to abdicate in favour of his elder son Crown Prince Naruhito within a few years.Senior officials within the Imperial Household Agency denied that there was any official plan for the monarch to abdicate. A potential abdication by the Emperor would require an amendment to the Imperial Household Law, which has no provisions for such a move.2019
8 January: 30th Anniversary Jubilee begins with commemoration ceremonies for the Emperor Shōwa. Start of official farewell celebrations for Emperor Akihito.
14 February: A survey was listed out for suggestions about Naruhito's era name.
24 February: Jubilee celebrations at the National Theater.
25 February: The Imperial Household Agency announces that Akihito and Michiko's English titles upon abdication will be His Imperial Majesty The Emperor Emeritus and Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Emerita, respectively.
12 March: Traditional private abdication ceremonies and rituals began with the Kashikodokoro-ni-Taii-oyobi-sono-Kijitsu-Hōkoku-no-gi ceremony.
Kashikodokoro-ni-Taii-oyobi-sono-Kijitsu-Hōkoku-no-gi (賢所に退位及びその期日奉告の儀) in which Emperor Akihito reports his abdication to the sun goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami at the Kashiko-dokoro of the Three Palace Sanctuaries of the Imperial Palace.
Kōreiden-Shinden-ni-Taii-oyobi-sono-Kijitsu-Hōkoku-no-gi (皇霊殿神殿に退位及びその期日奉告の儀) in which Emperor Akihito reports his abdication to the Ancestral Spirits of the Imperial Family from one year after their death and the Amatsukami (天津神) from Takamagahara and Kunitsukami (国津神) from Japanese mythology at the Kōrei-den and Shin-den of the Three Palace Sanctuaries of the Imperial Palace respectively.
Jingū-Jinmu-Tennō-Sanryō-oyobi-Shōwa-Tennō-izen-Yondai-no-Tennō-Sanryō-ni-Chokushi-Hakken-no-gi (神宮神武天皇山陵及び昭和天皇以前四代の天皇山陵に勅使発遣の儀) in which Imperial messengers and priests are sent to the Ise Grand Shrine, the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu, and the mausoleums of the 4 most recent Emperors to report Emperor Akihito's abdication.
15 March: Traditional private abdication rituals.
Jingū-ni-Hohei-no-gi (神宮に奉幣の儀) Imperial messengers and priests made offerings and reported Emperor Akihito's abdication at the Ise Grand Shrine.
Jinmu-Tennō-Sanryō-oyobi-Shōwa-Tennō-izen-Yondai-no-Tennō-Sanryō-ni-Hōhei-no-gi (神武天皇山陵及び昭和天皇以前四代の天皇山陵に奉幣の儀) Imperial messengers and priests reported Emperor Akihito's abdication to the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu, and the mausoleums of the 4 most recent Emperors.
26 March: Jinmu-Tennō-Sanryō-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi (神武天皇山陵に親謁の儀) The Emperor and Empress paid respects at the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture.
1 April: The new Era name is approved by the Cabinet, and is officially announced to the world by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as Reiwa (令和).
18 April: Jingū-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi (神宮に親謁の儀) The Emperor and Empress pay respects at the Ise Grand Shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture.
21 April: Local elections happen in Japan.
23 April: Shōwa-Tennō-Sanryō-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi (昭和天皇山陵に親謁の儀) The Emperor and Empress pay respects at the mausoleum of his late father, Emperor Shōwa, at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachiōji, Tokyo.
27 April: Extra Holiday: Start of Golden Week holiday season.
28 April: Extra Holiday
29 April: Shōwa Day
30 April: Taiirei-Seiden-no-gi (退位礼正殿の儀) Emperor Akihito announces his resignation from the throne and receives audience with the representatives of the people for the last time during a relatively brief ceremony in the Pine Hall (Matsu-no-Ma); the ceremony also featured two of the Three Sacred Treasures, and the Privy Seal and State Seal. Akihito becomes the first Jōkō since 1840. Heisei era comes to an end.Reiwa Era1 May: Beginning of the Reiwa era and accession date of Emperor Naruhito.
Kenji-tō-Shōkei-no-gi (剣璽等承継の儀) Emperor Naruhito inherits two of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, as well as the Privy Seal and State Seal. This ceremony also takes place in the Hall of Pines.
Sokui-go-Chōken-no-gi (即位後朝見の儀) in which Emperor Naruhito meets for the first time with the representatives of the people.
2 May: Extra Holiday
3 May: Constitution Memorial Day
4 May: Greenery Day
5 May: Children's Day
6 May: Extra Holiday: End of Golden Week Celebrations.
22 October: Enthronement Ceremony
Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi (即位礼正殿の儀) in which Emperor Naruhito proclaims the enthronement and receives felicitations from representatives of the people from at home and abroad.
22, 25, 29, 31 October: Kyōen-no-gi (饗宴の儀) Court banquets to celebrate the enthronement and receive congratulations from guests.
10 November (rescheduled from 22 October): Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi (祝賀御列の儀) Procession to show and receive good wishes from the people by motor car.
14–15 November: Daijōsai (大嘗祭)