A rehearsal is held in Tokyo on Oct. 6 for the Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi parade that will mark the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Photo/Illutration A rehearsal for the Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi parade is held on the actual course in Tokyo’s Mitato Ward on Oct. 6. (Hiroyuki Yamamoto)

Police and the Self-Defense Forces held a rehearsal in central Tokyo on Oct. 6 to ensure the safety of imperial family members at a parade marking the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.

With SDF honor guards seeing them off, a 300-meter line of cars started moving around 7 a.m. from the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward and traveled about 4.6 kilometers to the Akasaka Palace in Minato Ward.

A car supposedly carrying Naruhito and Empress Masako was surrounded by police on motorcycles.

Several police vehicles were on guard in areas in front of the Imperial Palace and Diet building, while officers on foot patrolled the streets.

The emperor and empress did not take part in the rehearsal.

The actual Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi parade will start at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, following the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi ceremony, part of a series of accession events and rituals, to proclaim Naruhito’s enthronement.

Naruhito and Masako are expected to use an open car for the parade so that the crowds can see them and express their well wishes. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will join the parade in a different car.

A 68-year-old man from Yokohama who viewed the rehearsal on Aoyama-dori street, said, “I came here today to enjoy the atmosphere because I thought that I can simply watch the real ceremony on TV.”

All surrounding routes will be closed before and during the Oct. 22 parade.

If bad weather is forecast for Oct. 22, the parade will be rescheduled for Oct. 26. A decision on whether to hold the parade on Oct. 22 will be announced at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21.