Tens of thousands of well-wishers gathered outside Japan's moat-ringed Imperial Palace — many shouting "Banzai," a traditional wish for long life — to mark Thursday's 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne.

Parades, concerts and speeches by leading athletes, actors, businesspeople and politicians marked the festivities that lasted most of the day.

Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne — the world's oldest hereditary monarchy — has undergone major changes since the country's surrender ended World War II in 1945, when Emperor Hirohito, Akihito's father, was officially considered a living god and loyalty to the throne was used to rally the nation behind the war.