Pre-reading questions:
- Do you like attending ceremonies? Why or why not?
- What kind of ceremonies have you attended? If none, what kind of ceremony would you like to attend?
Vocabulary:
- enthrone /en-THROHN/
- sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/
- dignitary /DIG-ni-ter-ee/
- meanwhile /MEEN-wahyl/
- private-sector /PRAHY-vit SEK-ter/
[verb] to put a king, queen, etc. on a throne to mark the beginning of their rule
The king was enthroned when he was 55 years old.
[noun] the power or authority to rule
He said that the contract would be a violation of American sovereignty.
[noun] a person in an important position in a society
Candance was nervous with her meetings with the dignitaries.
[adverb] at the same time with something else that is happening
My car is damaged right now. Meanwhile, I’m renting one.
[noun] all businesses that are not owned by the government
60 percent of the country’s employees work in a private-sector.
This 2019, an important celebration will be held to enthrone Crown Prince Naruhito as Japan’s new Emperor. His father, Emperor Akihito, will formally step down from sovereignty on April 30, 2019. It will then be followed by a ceremony on October 22 in the same year.
Several of Japan’s dignitaries will take part of the event’s arrangement. Some of them are Keiji Furuya, former chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and Bunmei Ibuki, former speaker of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be an adviser. The organization will involve private-sector leaders as well.
Several of Japan’s dignitaries will take part of the event’s arrangement. Some of them are Keiji Furuya, former chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and Bunmei Ibuki, former speaker of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be an adviser. The organization will involve private-sector leaders as well.
Comprehension Questions:
- When will Emperor Akihito retire from his position?
- Who are some of the dignitaries that will participate in the ceremony’s preparation?
- When will the ceremony for Crown Prince Naruhito be?
- Who else will the organization include in the arrangement?
- What will Prince Minister Shinzo Abe be in the event?
Discussion Questions:
- How do you think will they celebrate the event for the new Emperor?
- What is your opinion on Crown Prince Naruhito as the new Emperor?
- Do you think leaders from other countries will be invited in the ceremony? Why or why not?
- Should the day of the ceremony be made an official holiday in Japan? Why or why not?
- Why is it important to have a formal event for a new ruler?