Row over Japan Emperor`s last accession rite: `Spend night` with goddess
(WorldNews Japan)

Tokyo: Japanese Emperor Naruhito will be ushered into a dark wooden hall on Thursday night to celebrate his last major accession rite after becoming emperor this spring: spending the night with a goddess. The "Daijosai" rite centres on Amaterasu Omikami - the sun goddess from whom conservatives believe the emperor is descended. It is the most overtly religious of the series of rituals marking Naruhito's taking over after his father Akihito's abdication. The rite has prompted lawsuits from critics ranging...