New Emperor to Appear for Public Visitors on May 4

Tokyo, March 4 (Jiji Press)--Japan's new Emperor will appear for congratulatory visits by the general public at the Imperial Palace on May 4, after Crown Prince Naruhito's enthronement on May 1, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday. The event was initially scheduled for Oct. 26, after the "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" ceremony on Oct. 22 to proclaim his accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The new timetable was announced by Yasuhiko Nishimura, vice grand steward at the agency. "We considered the schedule change after receiving opinions that many people would be happier to have the event close to the enthronement date," Nishimura told a press conference, adding that Crown Prince Naruhito accepts the change. The agency also thinks it easier for large numbers of people to visit the palace in Tokyo on May 4, during the Golden Week period, which this year has 10 consecutive days off until May 6. Current Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who will become the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Emerita, respectively, after his April 30 abdication, are expected to be absent from the event. It will be decided later how many times the new Emperor will appear during the event and which Imperial Family members will accompany him. There is no change to the plan to hold the "Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi" parade on Oct. 22. END