Japan eyes scaling down crown prince's April ascension rituals

Japan is planning to scale back events related to rituals to formally announce Crown Prince Fumihito's rise to first in line to the throne planned in April to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the government said Monday.The government is expected to cancel two court banquets slated for April 21 to celebrate the crown prince's ascension, the source said, adding that a formal decision will be made probably later this week.The government had planned to invite a total of around 750 guests, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and foreign ambassadors to Japan to the banquets.It had alrea…READ FULL ARTICLE