In ancient throne ritual, Japanese emperor vows to fulfil duty

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Crown Princess Masako (L) is seen with her husband Crown Prince Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan December 3, 2002. REUTERS/Toshiyuki Aizawa/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Naruhito formally proclaimed his ascendancy to the throne on Tuesday in a centuries-old ceremony attended by dignitaries from more than 180 countries, pledging to fulfil his duty as a symbol of the state.

Naruhito became emperor and his wife Masako became empress on May 1 in a brief ceremony, but Tuesday's "Sokui no Rei" was a more elaborate ritual at the royal palace in which he officially announced his change in status to the world.