Petty crimes forgiven ahead of ceremony that completes ascension after father’s abdication in May

Japan has pardoned more than half a million people found guilty of petty crimes such as traffic violations to mark the formal ascension of Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum throne.

Naruhito proclaimed himself Japan’s new emperor and vowed to “stand with the people” after performing a series of ancient rituals on Tuesday that culminated in his appearance on the imperial throne alongside his wife, Empress Masako.