Congratulating the Enthronement of the new Emperor of Japan at the Reception held by the Japanese Ambassador.

On the 2nd of May, the Japanese Ambassador to Jordan H.E. Hidenao Yanagi held a reception at the Ambassador’s residence to celebrate the enthronement of the Emperor Naruhito which took place on 1^st May.

At the reception, Ambassador Yanagi and H.E. Dr. Raed Abu al-Soud, Minister of Water and Irrigation, presented words of congratulations for the enthronement of the 59 year-old new Emperor with the attendance of H.R.H. Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid, H.E. Dr. Mousa Maaytah, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and other distinguished guests and attendees.

Japan is a unique country which still uses the name of Era for the reign of each Emperor, in parallel with the Western Calendar. Japan calls the era of Emperor Akihito which lasted about 30 years long as “Heisei”, while the new era was named “Rei-wa”, staring from May 1^st ,”Rei-wa” means “beautiful harmony” in Japanese.

Also It’s worth mentioning that February 23^rd is the Birthday of the Emperor Naruhito, consequently, the next Japanese National Day will be on February 23^rd, 2020, as the first national day in “Reiwa” era, instead of December in “Heisei” era. Currently, Japan is in the middle of ten consecutive days holiday, from the 27^th April to the 6^th May to celebrate the enthronement.

“Thanks to the strong ties between our Imperial family and the Royal Family of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, we have the 65^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year. We strongly hope that the relationship between Jordan and Japan will be closer and closer.”

Embassy of Japan in Jordan, Culture Department

The new Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne in a ceremony on Wednesday, issuing in a new era for the first time since his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, took over the throne 30 years ago. Naruhito’s father, Emperor Akihito, who has abdicated on April 30^th at the age of 85 by his own wish, became the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in more than 200 years.

Naruhito inherited the Imperial regalia of sword and jewel of seals as part of his first official duties on Wednesday. He is now the nation’s 126th Emperor. The 59 year old, who was educated in Tokyo and Oxford, is a keen historian, water transportation researcher, and memoirist. He has spoken out on environmental issues for decades. With the enthronement of the Emperor Naruhito, his younger brother Fumihitoat the age of 53 would be the Crown Prince.