TOKYO (AP) – Crown Prince Fumihito, the younger brother of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, has been sworn in as the first heir to the throne. The traditional palace ceremony was postponed for seven months on Sunday and the corona virus was scaled by pandemic.

The ceremony for the 54-year-old crown prince, known as Prince Akishino, is a series of imperial succession ceremonies that began in May last year when Naruhito ascended the throne after the resignation of his 86-year-old father Akihito.

Inside the palace ‘s most glorious pine room, 60 – year – old Naruhito’s younger brother has now been officially crowned the world’ s oldest monarch.

“I declare that Prince Fumihito is now the crown prince, both inside and outside the country,” Naruhito said, wearing his reddish-brown robe and headscarf. Dressed in orange, Fumihito vowed with his wife, Crown Prince Kikoy: “I deeply acknowledge my responsibilities as Crown Prince and fulfill my responsibilities.”

The ceremony, which began on April 19 and was postponed for about 15 minutes, was postponed after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency due to the epidemic.

Sunday’s celebration was reduced from the original 350 to more than 50 attendees, including Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other top government officials, prefectural representatives and selected foreign dignitaries.

Fumihito traditionally received the sword of imperialism as a symbol of the title of crown prince.

As part of the anti-virus measures, the palace canceled parties and other events, including the signing of congratulatory messages in public.

Sunday’s announcement for the Crown Prince paves the way for the government to discuss what to do with the lack of heirs.

Naruhito’s successors are left with only two young men – Fumihito and his 14 – year – old son Hisahito. Naruhito’s 18 – year – old daughter Iko and the crown prince’s two daughters, Mako and Kako, are not in the queue because they are women.

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The Imperial Law of Japan is based primarily on the pre – war constitution, which prohibits a woman emperor and forbids women from marrying ordinary people.

In 2005, the government considered the possibility of female emperors, but discontinued talks the following year, with the birth of Hisahito. Surveys have shown that most Japanese women are emperors as Iko became more popular.

Suga recently said that after the announcement of the crown prince, he will start learning ways to achieve a sustainable imperialism.

Duty duties increased during the reign of former Emperor Akihito, who actively interacted with the public, including visiting disaster-stricken areas to comfort the people.

One of the outspoken members of the imperialist family, he expressed his views on how the Fumihito family should adapt to modern times. He declined to comment on whether female emperors should be allowed, but he believed that royal duties could be shared equally regardless of gender.

There are currently 13 women in the imperial family, including six, who could marry and lose their royal status in the coming years.

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