Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, have commended Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko for their leadership and spiritual guidance to the Japanese nation.

The two also congratulated newly-installed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on their ascension to the throne.

The former Ghanaian leader and his wife offered their congratulations when they called at the Embassy of Japan on Monday, 6 May 2019 to sign the congratulatory book opened following the enthronement of Japan’s new Emperor.

Referring to their admiration for the tenure of Emperor Akihito and urging the new monarch to replicate that quality of leadership, the two wrote, “Emperor and Empress, we hope and pray for a continuation of the same leadership and spiritual guidance.”

Accompanied by their daughters, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, the delegation was received by Ambassador Tsutomu Himeno and other officials at the Embassy, who guided them through the signing process.

Emperor Naruhito acceded to the throne on 1 May 2019 following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito. Naruhito is the 126th monarch, according to the traditional order of succession.