Tokyo, Mar 30 (IANS): The enthronement ceremony of Crown Prince Naruhito as Japan's next emperor will be held on October 22, 2019, six months after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, the government announced on Friday.

Prior to the ceremony, Naruhito, 59, will succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, one day after Akihito's abdication, in an intimate and closed-door ritual, reports Efe news.

The ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in front of thousands of guests and delegations from around the world.

It is expected to be similar to that of Akihito, held on November 12, 1990, which was attended by 2,500 guests, including 157 foreign dignitaries.

Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne after more than a year mourning his father, Emperor Hirohito's death, who had reigned for 63 years since 1928.

The 125th emperor of Japan, Akihito expressed his desire to abdicate in an unusual televised message in August 2016, citing his age and deteriorating health.