This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
On November 10, 2019, thousands of people gathered in Tokyo to witness a rare parade featuring Japan's new emperor, Naruhito, and his wife Empress Masako.
The royal couple emerged from the Imperial Palace at 3:00 pm, with the Emperor wearing formal Western clothing and the Empress dressed in a long cream gown and jacket, wearing a tiara passed down to her by the previous empress.
Security was high for the event, with long lines forming hours ahead of the parade and thousands of police deployed to search bags and move spectators through metal detectors.
As the slow-moving parade passed by, flanked by police on motorbikes, the crowd cheered and took photos.
"We came here because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we wanted to celebrate this event," said Yoko Mori, 64, who had travelled from Saitama outside Tokyo to snag a spot to see the parade.
"But it's regrettable that we just had a glimpse of the car. I concentrated so much on taking a photo, I barely looked with my own eyes," she added.
Earlier, Yukari Oshita, in her 60s, said she was thrilled at the chance to see the royal couple.
"This will be my last chance to see an imperial parade," she told AFP as she waited near the Imperial Palace.
"The Emperor is a few years younger than me but belongs to the same generation, and I feel connected with him," she said.
"And Empress Masako is someone who can be a role model for modern women with full-time jobs," she added.
