Thousands of people gathered in Tokyo on Sunday ahead of a rare open-top car parade featuring newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, with heavy security in place for the event.

The motorcade scheduled for later in the afternoon is one of the final public events associated with Naruhito's assumption of the throne following his father Akihito's abdication earlier this year.

The royal couple will be driven around 4.6 kilometres (2.9 miles) through central Tokyo, with tens of thousands expected to line the route.

The couple's first parade since their marriage in 1993 was originally scheduled for October 22 as part of a series of events marking the official proclamation of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.

But the government rescheduled the parade after nearly 80 people were killed in Typhoon Hagibis, which slammed into Japan in mid-October, causing widespread damage.

Hours before the scheduled 3 pm (0600 GMT) start of the parade, long queues formed at dozens of security checkpoints, with eager spectators waiting to secure seats to watch the motorcade, which will feature some 50 vehicles in total.

"I'm looking forward to see the dress Empress Masako will wear," Hiroko Kikuta, in her 60s, told AFP.&nbsp;

"This will be my last chance to see an imperial parade," added Yukari Oshita, also in her 60s, as she waited near the Imperial Palace.

"The Emperor is a few years younger than me but belongs to the same generation," she said.

"And Empress Masako is someone who can be a role model for modern women with full-time jobs," she said.

Born into a diplomatic family and educated at Harvard, Masako left behind a promising diplomatic career to marry into the royal family.&nbsp;

She has struggled to adjust to cloistered royal life, suffering an adjustment disorder that led to a scaling back of her public appearances.

But she has appeared confident during the events marking Naruhito's enthronement.&nbsp;

She won plaudits for her assured performance when US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to meet the new emperor, winning praise in particular for her ability to converse in fluent English.

Naruhito, 59, officially succeeded his father in May, but a series of ceremonies and rites celebrating his enthronement are being held last month, this month and later this year. The official enthronement ceremony was held last month.

The parade comes a day after a national festival to celebrate the enthronement with dancers and pop stars offering performances.

Thousands of people gathered in Tokyo on Sunday ahead of a rare open-top car parade featuring newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, with heavy security in place for the event.

Thousands of people gathered in Tokyo on Sunday ahead of a rare open-top car parade featuring newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, with heavy security in place for the event. The motorcade scheduled for later in the afternoon is one of the final public events associated with Naruhito's assumption of the throne following his father Akihito's abdication earlier this year. The royal couple will be driven around 4.6 kilometres (2.9 miles) through central Tokyo, with tens of thousands expected to line the route. The couple's first parade since their marriage in 1993 was originally scheduled for October 22 as part of a series of events marking the official proclamation of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement. But the government rescheduled the parade after nearly 80 people were killed in Typhoon Hagibis, which slammed into Japan in mid-October, causing widespread damage. Hours before the scheduled 3 pm (0600 GMT) start of the parade, long queues formed at dozens of security checkpoints, with eager spectators waiting to secure seats to watch the motorcade, which will feature some 50 vehicles in total. "I'm looking forward to see the dress Empress Masako will wear," Hiroko Kikuta, in her 60s, told AFP. "This will be my last chance to see an imperial parade," added Yukari Oshita, also in her 60s, as she waited near the Imperial Palace. "The Emperor is a few years younger than me but belongs to the same generation," she said. "And Empress Masako is someone who can be a role model for modern women with full-time jobs," she said. Born into a diplomatic family and educated at Harvard, Masako left behind a promising diplomatic career to marry into the royal family. She has struggled to adjust to cloistered royal life, suffering an adjustment disorder that led to a scaling back of her public appearances. But she has appeared confident during the events marking Naruhito's enthronement. She won plaudits for her assured performance when US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to meet the new emperor, winning praise in particular for her ability to converse in fluent English. Naruhito, 59, officially succeeded his father in May, but a series of ceremonies and rites celebrating his enthronement are being held last month, this month and later this year. The official enthronement ceremony was held last month. The parade comes a day after a national festival to celebrate the enthronement with dancers and pop stars offering performances.

Thousands gather ahead of rare Japan imperial parade

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako rode through central Tokyo on Sunday in a motorcade to mark this year's imperial succession as well-wishers waved national flags and held up mobile phones for snapshots of the smiling royal couple.

Emperor Naruhito, 59, acceded to the throne in May after his father, Akihito, became the first monarch to abdicate in two centuries.

The parade was originally due to take place on Oct. 22, when the emperor officially proclaimed his enthronement before dignitaries from about 190 countries, but it was postponed as Japan grappled with the aftermath of a devastating typhoon.

Under a cloudless blue sky, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Harvard-educated former diplomat, waved from an open-top Toyota Century limousine, which cruised through streets lined with jubilant spectators as well as police officers, who were out in force.

The emperor wore a tailcoat while Empress Masako was in a white dress and a tiara, sparkling in the sunshine, a stark contrast from the enthronement ceremony, in which both wore traditional robes.

Tens of thousands of spectators from across the country gathered along the 4.6-km route to watch.

Some began queuing on Saturday to ensure a good vantage point on the route.

"To witness this historical moment with my own eyes and to see the smile of the emperor and empress, I wanted to be in the front," said Hiyori Okazaki, who queued from late on Saturday in front of the Imperial Palace.

"I couldn't wait so came last night."

Toshiko Ito, who visited Tokyo with her husband for the procession, said she was thrilled to see the couple.

"Emotion welled up and I was so happy that I was about to cry," she said.

While bands played celebratory music, the 400-metre long motorcade of 46 vehicles, including cars carrying including Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, moved slowly through the streets.

About 16.1 billion yen ($147 million) has been earmarked for succession-related ceremonies throughout the year, including Sunday's parade, up 30% from Akihito's succession three decades ago.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako rode through central Tokyo on Sunday in a motorcade to mark this year's imperial succession as well-wishers waved national flags and held up mobile phones for snapshots of the smiling royal couple.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako rode through central Tokyo on Sunday in a motorcade to mark this year's imperial succession as well-wishers waved national flags and held up mobile phones for snapshots of the smiling royal couple. Emperor Naruhito, 59, acceded to the throne in May after his father, Akihito, became the first monarch to abdicate in two centuries. The parade was originally due to take place on Oct. 22, when the emperor officially proclaimed his enthronement before dignitaries from about 190 countries, but it was postponed as Japan grappled with the aftermath of a devastating typhoon. Under a cloudless blue sky, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Harvard-educated former diplomat, waved from an open-top Toyota Century limousine, which cruised through streets lined with jubilant spectators as well as police officers, who were out in force. The emperor wore a tailcoat while Empress Masako was in a white dress and a tiara, sparkling in the sunshine, a stark contrast from the enthronement ceremony, in which both wore traditional robes. Tens of thousands of spectators from across the country gathered along the 4.6-km route to watch. Some began queuing on Saturday to ensure a good vantage point on the route. "To witness this historical moment with my own eyes and to see the smile of the emperor and empress, I wanted to be in the front," said Hiyori Okazaki, who queued from late on Saturday in front of the Imperial Palace. "I couldn't wait so came last night." Toshiko Ito, who visited Tokyo with her husband for the procession, said she was thrilled to see the couple. "Emotion welled up and I was so happy that I was about to cry," she said. While bands played celebratory music, the 400-metre long motorcade of 46 vehicles, including cars carrying including Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, moved slowly through the streets. About 16.1 billion yen ($147 million) has been earmarked for succession-related ceremonies throughout the year, including Sunday's parade, up 30% from Akihito's succession three decades ago.

Japan imperial couple rides through Tokyo in grand enthronement parade

japan-imperial-parade

Japan Imperial Parade, News on Japan Imperial Parade, stories on Japan Imperial Parade, articles on Japan Imperial Parade, Japan Imperial Parade stories at Wion, Japan Imperial Parade news, Japan Imperial Parade latest news

japan imperial-parade

Thousands gather ahead of rare Japan imperial parade

Japan imperial couple rides through Tokyo in grand enthronement parade