A new era,Emperor Naruhito took the throne

A new era has begun in Japan as Naruhito officially becomes a new emperor after his father abdicated the Chrysanthemum throne Iranian Prez signs bill into law declaring all US forces in Middle East as terrorists & calling US govt a sponsor of terrorism.

Japanese history full of celebrations and rituals. Emperor Naruhito took the throne at the start of Wednesday and that ushered in a new era called Reiwa.

The Emperor has just taken part in two key ceremonies to mark the occasion.

The first one was a ceremony to show he’s inherited the Imperial Regalia from his father who abdicated on Tuesday. The sacred sword and jewel have been passed down for centuries as proof of an Emperor’s status.

About 30 minutes later Emperor Naruhito met with representatives of the people. They included the prime minister, the heads of both chambers of the Diet, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and local government leaders.

The Emperor then gave his first speech since taking the throne.

The Emperor said, “I have hereby succeeded to the Throne pursuant to the Constitution of Japan and the Special Measures Law on the Imperial House Law.
When I think about the important responsibility I have assumed, I am filled with a sense of solemnity.
Looking back, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus, since acceding to the Throne, performed each of his duties in earnest for more than 30 years, while praying for world peace and the happiness of the people, and at all times sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people. He showed profound compassion through his own bearing. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and appreciation of the comportment shown by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan.
In acceding to the Throne, I swear that I will reflect deeply on the course followed by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and bear in mind the path trodden by past emperors, and will devote myself to self-improvement. I also swear that I will 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 turning my thoughts to the people and standing with them. I sincerely pray for the happiness of the people and the further development of the nation as well as the peace of the world.”

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered greetings on behalf of the people.

Abe said, “We respect Your Majesty as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People. In a drastically-changing global situation, we are determined to ensure a glorious future for Japan…a country that is peaceful, full of hope, and a place that we can be proud of. We are also resolved to create an era in which people unite their hearts and develop their culture. We sincerely hope that the Reiwa era will be a peaceful one and the Imperial Family will further prosper.”

Emperor Naruhito is 59 years old. He is the first Emperor born after World War Two.

This is the first Imperial succession from a living Emperor in more than 200 years.

And for the first time in Japan’s modern history, the country has a reigning and abdicated Emperor at the same time.