Tokyo: President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Tokyo on October 21 to attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito, to be held on October 22, and also visited a Buddhist temple in Tokyo where he planted a Bodhi sapling, which he carried from India.
This is the first presidential visit to Japan from India after a gap of 19 years. The last presidential visit was in 1990 when the then president, R Venkatraman, attended the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Emeritus Akihoto who stepped down last year.
Addressing the Indian community in Tokyo, the President said India offers immense opportunities for its diaspora to participate in India’s progress and prosperity.
“India seeks your support and commitment to create an India of our vision and dream, an India that promises to light millions of homes with progress and prosperity; an India that cares for one and for all,” he said. The President said that India is on a transformational path.
He also visited the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Meanwhile, Tuesday’s enthronement ceremony of 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne marks the high point of succession rituals that began in May and will last through the spring.
More than 200 foreign dignitaries arrived for Japanese Emperor Naruhito enthronement ceremony.
