Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, right, attends his coronation ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday, May 1. Standing at left is his brother, Crown Prince Akishino.
In pictures: Japan's Naruhito ascends to the throne
Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, right, attends his coronation ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday, May 1. Standing at left is his brother, Crown Prince Akishino.
Japan Pool via AP

Updated 11:58 AM EDT, Wed May 1, 2019

Japan's new emperor, Naruhito, has formally ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, replacing his father, Akihito, who had abdicated a day earlier.

Naruhito is the 126th Emperor of Japan, the latest in an unbroken line that stretches back 14 centuries.

During a special ritual in the Imperial Palace's Matsu-no-Ma state room, an almost exclusively male audience saw Naruhito, 59, take possession of royal regalia and seals that provide ceremonial proof of his ascension.

Naruhito is followed by his wife, Masako, as he walks to make his first address as Emperor.
Naruhito is followed by his wife, Masako, as he walks to make his first address as Emperor.
Japan Pool via AP
Naruhito delivers his first speech after his ascension to the throne. In his remarks, he acknowledged the assumption of his role as an "important responsibility," and he paid tribute to his father's legacy.
Naruhito delivers his first speech after his ascension to the throne. In his remarks, he acknowledged the assumption of his role as an "important responsibility," and he paid tribute to his father's legacy.
Pool/Kyodo News via Getty Images
Naruhito, standing on a dais, inherits the imperial regalia.
Naruhito, standing on a dais, inherits the imperial regalia.
Pool/Kyodo via AP
People take pictures as the royal family leaves the Imperial Palace.
People take pictures as the royal family leaves the Imperial Palace.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
People at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine receive sake as they celebrate the change of an era.
People at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine receive sake as they celebrate the change of an era.
Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Naruhito's motorcade leaves the Imperial Palace after his imperial rituals.
Naruhito's motorcade leaves the Imperial Palace after his imperial rituals.
Takuya Inaba/Kyodo via AP
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie, bow as they arrive for Naruhito's ascension ceremony.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie, bow as they arrive for Naruhito's ascension ceremony.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool/Bloomberg/Getty Images
People bow toward the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as they wait for the new emperor to ascend to the throne.
People bow toward the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as they wait for the new emperor to ascend to the throne.
Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Sumo wrestlers create the characters for "Reiwa," Japan's new imperial era, at a Tokyo sports arena.
Sumo wrestlers create the characters for "Reiwa," Japan's new imperial era, at a Tokyo sports arena.
Kyodo News via Getty Images
Naruhito's motorcade drives past crowds of well-wishers.
Naruhito's motorcade drives past crowds of well-wishers.
Takuya Inaba/Kyodo News via AP
Naruhito's wife, Masako, arrives at the Imperial Palace.
Naruhito's wife, Masako, arrives at the Imperial Palace.
Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images
Stamps are postmarked on the first day of the Reiwa era.
Stamps are postmarked on the first day of the Reiwa era.
Kyodo News via Getty Images
Shinto priests recite religious passages before entering the Meiji Shrine's main building for a ceremony on Wednesday. The ceremony reported the new emperor's enthronement to the royal family's ancestors.
Shinto priests recite religious passages before entering the Meiji Shrine's main building for a ceremony on Wednesday. The ceremony reported the new emperor's enthronement to the royal family's ancestors.
Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
People gather to see the new Emperor leaving the Imperial Palace.
People gather to see the new Emperor leaving the Imperial Palace.
The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images
A girl holds calligraphy reading "Reiwa," the name of the new imperial era.
A girl holds calligraphy reading "Reiwa," the name of the new imperial era.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
People gather to see the new Emperor and take photos.
People gather to see the new Emperor and take photos.
The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images
Naruhito waves to well-wishers.
Naruhito waves to well-wishers.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images