The government is leaning toward holding rituals in April as planned to formally announce Crown Prince Akishino's status as first in line to the throne, with steps taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the events, according to officials.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference Monday that "we will steadily make necessary preparations" for holding the ceremonies and that "all possible measures" will be taken to prevent exposure to the virus.
The 54-year-old prince became first in line after his elder brother, Emperor Naruhito, ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne last May 1, following the abdication of Emperor Emeritus Akihito the previous day, the first by a Japanese monarch in over 200 years.