Crown Prince Fumihito was formally sworn in as first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne in traditional event
The 54-year-old previously had the ceremony postponed and scaled down due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Traditional ritual took place in the most prestigious Pine Room of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Japanese Emperor Naruhito's younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, was formally sworn in as first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne in a traditional palace ritual on Sunday - after the ceremony was postponed for seven months and scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event for the 54-year-old crown prince, who is better known as Prince Akishino, concludes a series of imperial succession rituals that began in May last year when Naruhito ascended to the throne after their 86-year-old father Akihito abdicated.

Inside the palace's most prestigious Pine Room, Naruhito, 60, declared that his younger brother is now officially the crown prince who is first in line to succeed the throne of the world's oldest monarchy.