Japanese Prince Fumihito, Emperor Naruhito's brother, has been proclaimed as heir to Japan's Imperial Palace throne, local media reports.
The 54-year-old Prince Fumihito appeared at a Tokyo ceremony on Sunday (local time) after it had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I will discharge my duties solemnly bearing in mind my responsibilities as Crown Prince," he said at the ceremony, as reported by Kyodo News.
Prince Fumihito, who local media says is a forthright member of Japan's Imperial family, thanked his 60-year-old brother.
"It is my hope that you will meet the expectations of the people and successfully fulfill your duties as crown prince, fully drawing on what you have cultivated," Emperor Naruhito told Prince Fumihito, Kyodo reports.
Congratulating the Imperial Family, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said: "The [Japanese] people have revered the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess after seeing how they have shown kindness in their interactions with people".
Emperor Naruhito was crowned the head of the world's oldest royal family in a centuries-old ceremony in Tokyo last year. He officially took over the reins when a law change allowed his elderly father, Emperor Akihito, to become the first royal in 200 years to abdicate the throne.
More than 2000 people attended the ceremony including almost 200 political leaders and royalty. The UK's Prince Charles was among guests along with New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
With no political power, the Imperial Family is a symbol of the state that represents the unity of Japan.
