TOKYO: Carriage Procession for Presentation of Credentials - Lesotho & Spain | Japan

Описание: The Presentation of Credentials Ceremony is a formal diplomatic event in which newly appointed ambassadors present their credentials to the head of state of the host country. In Japan, the ceremony is attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and other government officials, and the ambassadors present their credentials to His Majesty the Emperor.
On the day of the ceremony, ambassadors travel from their embassy to Tokyo Station by official vehicle. From there, they proceed to the Imperial Palace in either a specially modified Toyota Century Royal or a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage, as requested in advance.
The ceremonial horse-drawn carriage, a distinguished vehicle used in imperial events since the Meiji period (1868–1912), continues to play an important role in royal ceremonies today. For the presentation of credentials, one of these carriages, “Ceremonial Carriage No. 4,” is used. Manufactured in 1913 (Taisho 2), this carriage features a lacquered body adorned with the imperial crest in gold and is drawn by two horses.
The procession of ceremonial carriages from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace takes place as a ceremonial parade for the Presentation of Credentials Ceremony, preserving the tradition and dignity of the ritual to this day.

On this occasion, His Excellency Mr. Retšelisitsoe THEKO, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and His Excellency Mr. Iñigo DE PALACIO España, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain, presented their credentials to His Majesty the Emperor.

00:00 Carriage procession from the Imperial Palace arrives at Tokyo Station
02:37 Ambassador of Lesotho heads to the Imperial Palace by carriage
07:33 Ambassador of Spain arrives at Tokyo Station
08:16 Carriage procession from the Imperial Palace arrives at Tokyo Station
10:35 Ambassador of Spain heads to the Imperial Palace by carriage
15:12 Ambassador of Lesotho returns to Tokyo Station by carriage
19:20 Carriage procession returns to the Imperial Palace
20:28 Ambassador of Lesotho heads back to the embassy by official car
21:18 Ambassador of Spain returns to Tokyo Station by carriage
24:55 Carriage procession returns to the Imperial Palace

April 24, 2025