The Japanese Emperor’s daughter, Princess Aiko, was passed over for the throne in favor of the Emperor’s brother, according to Japan Times.
Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, who became first in line to the throne Sunday, is the younger brother of the previous 60-year-old Emperor Naruhito, who took over following his father, Emperor Akihito’s, abdication last May, according to Japan Times.
Japan formally proclaims Crown Prince Akishino heir to throne https://t.co/bM7cl6L4OE pic.twitter.com/TqshGLHef3
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 8, 2020
Princess Aiko, emperor Naruhito’s 18-year-old daughter, will not be entitled to the throne according to 1947 Imperial House Law, which states that only “males in the paternal line can ascend to the throne.” (RELATED:‘Four More Years’: Japanese Trump Supporters Bused Into Scranton Area, Wave Trump Flags And Chant)
The April 19 ceremony was postponed by the government, due to the “state of emergency” following the Covid-19 pandemic, Japan Times reports.
The number of guests was dropped from an expected 350 to only “46 guests,” to include “adult members of the imperial family.” It was an approximately 15 minute ceremony with attendees wearing both wearing face masks as well as social distancing to limit the possibility of infection, per Japan Times.