Emperor Naruhito reading his speech after the coronation
The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria has lined up congratulatory signing programmes for those who wish to congratulate the new Emperor Naruhito of Japan, who ascended the on May 1, 2019 starting the new era “Reiwa”.
According to information from Japan Embassy in Abuja by Sonja Chukwumezie, Special Assistant to the Ambassador, a Congratulatory Book will be opened for well-wishers in Abuja and Lagos to sign their messages.
The information stated that for Abuja, the well-wishers will sign the Book from Monday, May 6 to Thursday, 9 May 2019 from 10.00a.m. to 12.00p.m. and 2.00p.m. to 4.00p.m and on Friday, May 10, 2019 : 10.00a.m. to 12.00p.m.
The Abuja event will take place at residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Plot 2231, Rio Negro Close, off Yedseram Street, Maitama.
For Lagos, it will be at Jetro office, 7th floor, Churchgate Tower 2, Plot PC 31, Churchgate Street, Victoria Island, on Monday, 13 May 2019, 2.00p.m.-4.00p.m.
On April 30, 2019, his father Emperor Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in more than 200 years to abdicate, bringing the Heisei imperial era to an end.
According to a BBC report, Naruhito, 59, differs in many ways from his more tradition-bound predecessors, and has consistently challenged expectations by prioritising his family and academic life.
In his first speech as emperor, he said he felt the solemn weight of his position, but vowed to be a symbol of unity for the nation.
Unlike his father, Emperor Naruhito had the opportunity to pursue his own education and dreams when he was young.
After graduating with a degree in history from Tokyo’s prestigious Gakushuin University, he studied from 1983 to 1985 at Oxford University’s Merton College.