Japan's Emperor Naruhito praises his people's wisdom in enthronement ceremony

Ceremony took place in front of 2,000 guests, including Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed

Japan's Emperor Naruhito appears during a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to the world. Reuters

Emperor Naruhito officially proclaims his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne during an enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shouts banzai cheer for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during the enthronement ceremony, Tokyo, Japan. AFP

Empress Masako leaves the state room at the end of the enthronement ceremony where Emperor Naruhito officially proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP

Japan's Empress Masako makes her appearance during a ceremony to proclaim Emperor Naruhito's enthronement to the world. AP

Attendants chant "Banzai" cheer during the enthronement ceremony after Japanese Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AP

Japanese Empress Masako leaves the ceremony hall after Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters

Japan's Emperor Naruhito walks to Kashikodokoro sanctuary to report the proclamation of his ascension to the throne during a ritual at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 22, 2019. AFP

Japan's Empress Masako visits “Kashikodokoro”, one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. AP

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte arrives to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Reuters

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, meets with HE Khalid Omran Al Ameri, UAE Ambassador to Japan. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn Chan-ocha arrive to attend the enthronement ceremony Of Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP

A Yomiuri newspaper worker hands a copy of the extra edition reporting the enthronement ceremony for the 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito. AP

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, and his wife Akie arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

The Vatican's Cardinal Francesco Monterisi arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2019. Some 2,000 guests and dignitaries from over 180 countries are expected to attend the enthronement ceremony. EPA

India's President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. Reuters

State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2019. EPA

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon arrives at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of the enthronement of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. REUTERS

People line up and wait outside of the Tokyo Imperial Palace before before the enthronement ceremony for the 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan. AP Photo

Netherland's King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Queen Letizia of Spain attends the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne in Tokyo on October 22, 2019. AFP

Japan's Emperor Naruhito makes his appearance during a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to the world, called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019. Reuters

Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam arrives to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Reuters

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko, second from right, arrive for the ceremony at "Kashikodokoro", one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. AP

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Japanese Emperor Naruhito pledged to fulfil his duty as he officially announced his enthronement on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from more than 180 countries.

Naruhito, 59,  proclaimed his enthronement to the world in a ceremony called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo before 2,000 guests.

In the 30-minute ceremony, which has been performed for centuries, Japan's 126th emperor promised to "fulfil my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". His wife, Empress Masako,  sat beside him.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Britain's Prince Charles.

Naruhito acceded to the throne in May after his father, Akihito, became the first monarch to abdicate in two centuries.

The enthronement ceremony is one of several celebrations for Naruhito, who has been a full-fledged emperor since succeeding his father in May.

He wore a formal ochre-coloured robe that had been dyed in sappanwood and Japanese wax tree bark, and a black headdress decorated with an upright tail, as his father did 30 years ago, in a ceremony at  the Imperial Palace's most prestigious hall.

Naruhito made his proclamation from the Imperial Throne Takamikura, a 6.5-metre tall decorative structure resembling a gazebo.

"I sincerely hope that Japan will develop further and contribute to the friendship and peace of the international community, and to the welfare and prosperity of human beings through the people's wisdom and ceaseless efforts," he said.

The enthronement will be followed by a three-hour banquet on Tuesday evening, which world leaders will attend.

Foreign guests will be escorted to observe the Imperial Throne and the Empress' seat on display at the Pine Hall before entering the banquet hall, where a dinner will be served while traditional Japanese court music is performed, ceremony organisers said.

Emperor Naruhito's grandfather, Hirohito, in whose name Japanese troops fought the Second World War, was treated as a god but renounced his divine status after Japan's defeat in 1945. Emperors now have no political authority.

Long-planned celebrations, for which Japan declared a national holiday, were tempered after Typhoon Hagibis, which killed at least 82 people, tore through Japan 10 days ago.

A public parade was postponed until next month to allow the government to devote attention to the typhoon clean-up, while Tuesday's pouring rain forced the palace to scale back the number of courtiers in ancient robes.

But just before the ceremony began, the skies cleared and a rainbow appeared over Tokyo.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a congratulatory speech before assembled dignitaries including Crown Prince Akishino, the emperor's younger brother, and his family, all adorned in brightly coloured robes.

Other guests included US Transport Secretary Elaine Chao and Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Abe led a trio of cheers of "banzai", or "long life", for the emperor, before a 21-gun salute.