5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE ENTHRONEMENT OF JAPAN’S EMPEROR

1 ENTHRONEMENT CEREMONY

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, 58, is set to proclaim his enthronement Tuesday in a centuries-old ceremony attended by some 2,500 people, including heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.

2 HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The ceremony marks Emperor Naruhito’s accession to the throne. That actually took place on May 1, the day after his father, Akihito, became the first monarch to abdicate in two centuries.

3 POMP AND SYMBOLS

Emperor Naruhito will wear a traditional robe and headdress to the ceremony at the Imperial Palace’s Matsu no ma, or Hall of Pine, the most prestigious space in the palace. He’ll declare his enthronement from the “Takamikura” — a 6.5-metre-high pavilion — with a sword and a jewel, two of the so-called Three Sacred Treasures, placed beside him. Together with a mirror called Yata-noKagami, which is kept at the Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest site in Japan’s Shinto religion, the ancient sword and jewel comprise the regalia that symbolizes the legitimacy of the emperor.

4 GUESTS

Representatives from more than 190 countries and international organizations will likely join the celebration. Those include Britain’s Prince Charles, who along with Princess Diana also attended Akihito’s enthronement ceremony, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. Domestic media said Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also likely attend.

5 CELEBRATIONS

About $195 million has been set aside for the event and succession-related ceremonies throughout the year.