With the initially planned enthronement parade postponed out of consideration for residents in areas devastated by Typhoon No. 19 in October, what did people affected by the disaster make of Sunday's rescheduled procession?
A 79-year-old retail employee in Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture, was busy cleaning the shop where she works on Sunday. The store, which was flooded in the aftermath of the typhoon, is yet to reopen.
She closely watched the live broadcast of the parade on a large TV in the store.
She has done volunteer work at the Imperial Palace in the past and has had the opportunity to see members of the Imperial family up close.
"Because I was able to see the Empress' best smile, I thought to myself, all of us have no choice but to make an effort. It has made me think positively."
Takashi Onodera, an evacuee in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, had planned to go to Tokyo to see the parade before the disaster struck.
Onodera, 43, whose first-floor condominium was flooded, is currently staying at the Uchigo Community Center.
"I regret not being able to go in person, but I was able to feel the [Imperial couple's] consideration for people in disaster-hit areas," he said.
MPD dispatches 26,000 for Imperial parade
The Metropolitan Police Department dispatched up to about 26,000 police officers, including those sent by other prefectural police forces for assistance, to guard Sunday's parade of the Emperor and Empress.
The MPD said there were no instances of the kinds of trouble that had been feared, such as unauthorized drone flights.
Along the parade route, 40 checkpoints for examining spectators' belongings were set up in 29 locations. The police had been conducting the checks using metal detectors and other devices since Sunday morning.
People who wanted to see the parade were instructed by police officers to open their bags and other belongings for inspection. Those who had items that were prohibited to bring into spectator areas, such as cans, bottles and lighters, disposed of them in prepared garbage bags.
Along the course for the royal parade, police officers formed long lines facing toward spectators to watch for suspicious activity. Additional armed special police officers were also positioned near the route to provide a counter-terrorist layer of security.
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