TOKYO – Japan has ushered in the Reiwa Era with celebrations and rituals as Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, a day earlier.

TOKYO – Emperor Akihito formally announced his abdication in a short ceremony held at the State Room Matsu-no-Ma of the Imperial Palace Tuesday afternoon.

To celebrate the ascension of Crown Prince Naruhito to the Imperial throne on May 1, the Japanese government approved a bill to designate that day as a one-off holiday, creating a 10-day Golden Week holiday period from April 27 to May 6.

NAHA – The 11th Okinawa International Movie Festival (OIMF) four-day celebration of cinema came to a close on April 21 with thousands of festival-goers from the prefecture, across Japan and abroad in attendance at the celebrity-packed red carpet event, screenings and programs.