Japan’s Emperor Naruhito has formally acceded to the chrysanthemum throne a day after the abdication of his father.

The 59-year-old inherited the sacred sword and jewel signalling his succession at a formal ceremony on Wednesday, though he technically succeeded his father at midnight as Tuesday became Wednesday.

The former emperor Akihito and empress Michiko stepped down after three decades in their roles after a brief and simple ceremony, in which the former emperor thanked the people of Japan and said he prayed for peace.

Speaking at the Imperial Palace’s Matsu-no-Ma (Hall of Pine) state room, Naruhito expressed gratitude for his parents’ work, then said: “I pledge that I will always think of the people, and while drawing close to them, fulfil my duties as a symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people in accordance with the constitution.

“I sincerely hope for the happiness of the people and further progress of the country, and for world peace.”

Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Emperor Akihito in a private ritual as part of his abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Reuters Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Emperor Akihito speaks during his abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo AP Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures The Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, splashes on the abdication of Emperor Akihito Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Emperor Akihito at three-months-old in 1934 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Then Crown Prince Akihito on his wedding day at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 1959 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Then Crown Prince Akihito plays tennis at the residence of then US Vice President George Bush Sr. in 1987 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Emperor Akihito and then Chinese President Yang Shangkun outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 1993 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures A young Emperor Akihito on horseback in the 1950s AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Then Crown Prince Akihito (centre) on a visit to France's Chateau de Versailles in 1953 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko welcome visiting Prince Charles and Princess Diana to the Tōgū Palace in Tokyo in 1986 AFP/Getty Emperor Akihito abdicates: In pictures Then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko with their child Naruhito, who is to become Japan's emperor, in 1960 AFP/Getty

During the ceremony, imperial chamberlains carried state and privy seals into the hall along with two of Japan’s “three sacred treasures” – a sword and a jewel – which together with a mirror are symbols of the throne, said to originate in ancient mythology.

Naruhito was flanked by his brother and heir, the crown prince Akishino. His wife and 17-year-old daughter were barred from the ceremony, which only adult male royals were allowed to witness.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Naruhito on his ascension, pledging to create a “bright future” during the new era.

Donald Trump also extended his congratulations. The US president will be the imperial couple’s first diplomatic test when he visits Japan later this month.

“As the Japanese people embark upon a new era, we will renew the strong bonds of friendship between our two countries,” he said.

Infographic showing the longest-reigning Japanese emperors. (Statista)

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his best wishes, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua, as did South Korean president Moon Jae-in, saying he hoped Naruhito would “remember the pain of war and continue to take solid steps towards peace”.

Naruhito is the nation’s 126th emperor, according to a palace count that historians say likely included mythical figures until around the fifth century.

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Under Japan’s constitution the emperor is a symbol without political power. Wartime militarist governments worshipped the emperor as a living god until Naruhito’s grandfather renounced that status following the country’s 1945 war defeat.