AKIPRESS.COM - Japan's Emperor Naruhito has formally proclaimed his ascension to the throne in an elaborate ceremony, BBC reports.

The emperor, 59, officially began his reign in May after the abdication of his father, the then-Emperor Akihito.

But his ascension is only now being formalised in a series of traditional rituals.

His ascension comes as Japan reels from the effects of Typhoon Hagibis, which left almost 80 people dead.

The Sokui no Rei - or the Ceremony of Accession - saw Emperor Naruhito inside the 6.5m-high Takamikura throne.

He read out a formal proclamation, dressed in a yellow-orange tone robe worn only by emperors on special occasions.

"I swear that I will act according to the constitution and fulfil my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people," said the emperor, according to a Reuters translation.