Emperor Naruhito will start official visits across the country in June after acceding to the throne Wednesday and taking over duties from his father.
Following the National Arbor Festival in Owariasahi, Aichi Prefecture, on June 2, the emperor will attend three other annual events — the Festival for the Cherished Sea on Sept. 7 and 8 in Akita Prefecture, the National Culture Festival that runs between Sept. 15 and Nov. 30 in Niigata Prefecture, and the National Sports Festival that runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8 in Ibaraki Prefecture.
He has taken part in the culture festival since its inception in 1986, while attendance at the other events passed to him from Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who will no longer perform official duties following his abdication Tuesday.