The National Celebration for the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor's Accession to the Throne

At the JCB Hall in Tokyo-Dome City on Dec. 19, 2008

Celebration News No.2 [by PDF] (This page is provided in japanese only)

　On Dec. 19, 2008, “The National Celebration for the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor's Accession to the Throne” was hold at the JCB Hall of a main venue in Tokyo-Dome City located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, co-hosted by “The Celebration Committee of the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor's Accession to the Throne” and “The Diet Celebration League of the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor’s Accession to the Throne”.

　The National Celebration opened a session at 2 p.m., in the presence of 150 members of both houses of the Diet including Prime Minister Aso and cabinet members, 96 ambassadors and ministers of diplomatic corps to Japan, and some 4,000 representatives of every sector of society nationwide.

　In the first session of “Celebration”, Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, House of Representatives member, delivered his opening address as president of Executive Committee on The Diet Celebration League, followed by respective organizer’s addresses by Mr. Yoshiro Mori, former Prime Minister and Chairman of The Diet Celebration League, and by Mr. Tadashi Okamura, president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman of The Celebration Committee.

　After Prime Minister Taro Aso delivered a complimentary address as a guest of Government representative following the opening addresses, representatives of every sector of society offered their congratulations on the 20th Anniversary in thanks for his Majesty’s virtue in the following order: Mr. Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), Mr. Wataru Aso, president of the National Governor’s Association, Mr. Eiichi Ogawa, president of the Japanese Federation of Organizations of the Disabled Persons, Mr. Kazunori Zamami, honorary chairman of Bereaved Family of Okinawa Prefecture War Dead Joint Association, and Mr. Yoshio Karita, former Grand Master of the Ceremonies of Imperial Household Agency.

　From the sporting world Ms. Yukiko Ueno in softball, Ms. Kaoru Icho in women’s wrestling, and Mr. Tomohiro Matsunaga in men’s wrestling, who were all medalists of Beijing Olympic Games, respectively made a speech talking about being moved by an encouraging word given from his Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace.

　For a finale Mr. Toru Miyoshi, former chief justice of the Supreme Court, run a show of three cheers for his Majesty the Emperor to wind up the National Celebration for the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor’s Accession to the Throne

　In the second session of “Celebratory Rendition” to jazz the celebratory event, Ms. Atsuko Asano, actress, put on a monodrama “Invitation to Japanese Mythology” and Mr. Masafumi Akikawa, operatic tenor, sang two songs including “the festive song of Accession to the Throne” composed by the late Toshiro Mayuzumi.