Tens of thousands attend event for emperor's enthronement

Long live the Emperor and Empress.

welcome to the 21st century

I don't mind the traditional stuff but this was weirdly Western. Cars, and dresses and brass bands. If they are going to make a Reiwa song, let's have gagaku style, not some jolly march played on trumpets and cornets. It was like something the UK monarchy would do, and they are not a glowing example to copy.

I like the couple and pity them, what with everything people project onto them.

Mrs. Noakes was howling with laughter at this bizarre event last night. What on earth was it? Some kind of ultra-nationalist night rally crossed with a low-brow pop concert for very dull people? Who was the old man screaming Banzai for about 15 minutes?

The Imperial couple looked stunned and cold. They are prisoners in a gilded cage, for sure. I'd go bananas if I had to smile through that for 3 hours. Good luck to them both, they're going to need it.

Watching the coverage on NHK, the interviewer gushing stuff about "What a wonderful start to the Reiwa era".

The start of the Reiwa era was marked by a super typhoon, widespread flooding, landslides, houses destroyed and dozens dead.

Hate to think what an unauspicious start would look like. An asteroid strike?

@Educator60, first thank you for the reply. Finally someone. To answer your question, yes I was there as an official counter for both events and the data collected was not in the 10's of thousands, not even close to the 400 you mentioned by a long shot. Please look at your feeds again. A special photo lens is used to make the appearances seem like tens of thousands as well as the angle. A real life scenario gives a more accurate picture.

Sorry buddy, but that is how it went. Had it not been for the local talent shows, attendance would have been more bleak. We polled various attendees those able to get seated those who were left out and the majority of them depending on age were there quite simply for the shows, when asked about the actual main festivities, though it took time to pry them out was not as high or supportive. One hand I support an emperor and empress, part of cultural history and to see it continue and be a part of it is memorable. However on the other hand I feel for the pockets when I have to support it in taxes to the state, but better that than nothing. It is impressive though. Again thank you for the reply.

Nippon Kaigi, playing a role, captured it all,

Then we have the a so called a popular musically inconsequential boy band .

One of many, laying waste to any form of a description to a recognisable form of contemporary pop culture.

Where is the cultural significant meaning? Please tell me this nation is not lost in Arashi, Johnny & Associates talent agency meaninglessly Tarento nonentity, musical mediocrity.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, ascended the imperial throne, involving elaborate outfits, a veiled throne, and three sacred treasures. Only to be crooned at by Arashi?​ Thousands of years of cultural tradition and Japan end up with Arashi?

What about Hikaru Utada, Shiina Ringo or Miwa Yoshida and Masato Nakamura? ......

Goodness we have emperor is so long as we keep the system, there will not be serious ethnical and religious divisions in Japan.

Educator - thanks for your commment.

Yes - of course coverage of the recent disasters is still out there, but it certainly has become quiet.

One can argue that is expected as "life goes on" and any other of a myriad of newsworthy items crop up everyday.

But imo, without hesitation the national broadcaster has been very selective and careful to lay the pomp & pageantry stories at the expense of Japan in suffering.

We can easily understand why. Who'd want to attract criticism for such an incredibly expensive extravaganza as the enthronement going on at the same time as such hardship. I mean image is critical here, not the least for the royals as well as Political Inc.

And today as the "Parade" of the decade(s) take place, Abe and his cohorts will bask in the glory, an act of purification if you like of all negative news, scandals, mishaps etc for the public to absorb.

I like the Emperor and Masako, both decent people with genuine concerns, but sorry - I have no time for the malarkey of Royalness, in this country or any other including my home country.

After watching some highlights on the news last night, one couldn't help get the feeling this was all a choreographed pantomine for the faithful.

The "crowning" moment was in a sea of penguins, a cacophony of banzais cried forth while the royal hignesses bobbed ever so gently a couple of lanterns up & down.

Nippon Kaigi and their acolytes must be really chuffed.

And on another note - how many celebrations are necessary? Already we've seen the formal ceremony, the seemingly endless parties with an array of world visitors et al.

All of this while miraculously the plight of 100,000s of people whose lives have been devestated by disaster these past weeks, has all but disappeared from the screens and scrolls.

Nothing like a trip down Fantasy Lane to scrub memories clean.

they had to bring Arashi for that number though....

If I hold a paper lamp, am I an empress/ emperor ?

suddenly 100s becomes 10s of thousands those paper lamps are magic.

Where are the ordinary folk, the young people?

It seems not much has really changed since the dark days...

Counting...not 10s of thousands.

Why is the emperor attending an event organized by rightwing political groups like Nippon Kaigi?

Depressing.

Harvard-educated wife, also a former diplomat

Sorry I don't get why was this necessary to be added. I don't see them putting out everyone's past accomplishments.

They suffer in silence, as many do.

No one cares!!!

It didn't see tens of thousands as reported by mass media. Many are too scared to speak out what is spoken in the homes. No more monarchy, simply put "can't afford it"

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Hope this is the last of the show.

It's getting a little tired.

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Banzai, and well wishes!