The Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa and Masiofo Fa’amausili, celebrated with other invited leaders from around the world, the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito of Japan this week.
Their Highnesses were among and exclusive guest list that included many royal families from close to 200 countries, who flew in to celebrate the royal accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne by the new Emperor.
The event comes after the 85-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne last April, ending his 30-year reign.
Akihito was the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years, making way for the then-Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako to accede.
Now Emperor Emeritus, Akihito stepped down from the throne due to his advanced age,
Although he officially became emperor on May 1, —Tuesday’s ceremony marked the official declaration of Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement.
“I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution, and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them,” he said, underlining the emperor’s role within the country’s supreme law.
The ceremony saw the emperor and empress in regal attire entering the Pine Chamber of the Imperial Palace, as attending dignitaries watched by video link from within the Imperial Palace.
Big names such as Prince Charles from the United Kingdom, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao from the United States, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon were there to congratulate the new emperor.
The historic event was held over two days with the official enthronement ceremony held in the afternoon of 22nd October at the Imperial Palace followed by the official enthronement court banquet hosted by the Emperor and Empress of Japan in the evening.
A court banquet hosted by the Prime Minister and Spouse was held on the 23rd October 2019.
His Highnesses Tuimaleali’ifano and Masiofo Fa’amausili, also attended a special Tea Ceremony for the 18 royal representatives, hosted by the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Akasaka Residential Palace with members of the Imperial family, as well as a luncheon hosted by the Japan-Pacific Island Countries Parliamentary League.
His Highness spoke on behalf of the Pacific delegations.
Included in the Head of State’s delegation was Samoan’s ambassador to Japan, Fa’alavaau Galumalemana Perina J. Sila-Tualaulelei.