welcome to bbc news — broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: japan's emperor naruhito receives the imperial treasures, formally marking his ascension to the throne. i'm mariko oi — live in tokyo — where in the next few minutes naruhito will give his first address as new emperor. hundreds of people are currently weathering, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new emperor. —— currently gathering. the venezuelan president nicolas maduro says he will be victorious in what he called a coup attempt, in a televised address after mass protests against his rule.

hello. we will take you live to tokyo injust a minute. firstly, let's bring you up—to—date with what we know about events in venezuela. president maduro has been given a defiant televised address. he said he would be victorious in the face of what he referred to as a coup of attempt backed by american imperialists. he said those who acted against him within the armed forces would face serious consequences. the same fate, he said, as those who had stood against him and against chavez in 2002. our correspondent is on maternity leave but is still working and putting out information. we need to pass on to you what she just said, thatjuan

guaido has posted a video. he leads the national assembly that is controlled by the opposition and has declared himself interim leader. he has been recognised by many other countries but resident maduro is still in fact president. juan guaido said he will continue tomorrow with operation freedom and his supporters will be on the street until they achieve the end. he appeared on social media at the start of the day with a group of soldiers and another opposition leader who had been under house arrest and announced an uprising. protesters took to the street and there were gunshots. since then military leaders have appeared alongside the president maduro asserting their loyalty to him full of at the moment it seems that the military leaders in venezuela are standing behind matt but full of i should add that the chilean foreign minister who says that leopold lopez who appeared with juan guaido has moved to the spanish embassy. there had been reports he

was claiming asylum at the chilean embassy that he is now at the spanish embassy and we do not know under what circumstances. we will bring you more on that as soon as we have more, at the moment, maduro made a defiant tv address after a day of mass protest but still seems to have the support of the military. let's head back now to japan where the new emperor is marking his ascension to the throne with a series of usual ceremonies at the imperial palace. mariko oi is there for us. we are outside the imperial palace here in tokyo and in less than ten minutes time the official event for emperor naruhito to take to the throne will take place inside the imperial palace. strictly speaking at midnightjapan time he became the new emperor and the new era of reiwa

began. so, the event will start at any minute. it is interesting that his wife will not be inside. yes. it is one of the things commented on by the foreign media about the ceremony today. when emperor akihito, the former and pro— stepdown yesterday, everybody was present. but in this ceremony this morning, because this isa ceremony this morning, because this is a more sacred ceremony in some ways because it is the investiture, the handing of power, the handing of the handing of power, the handing of the out on to the new emperor, under japanese tradition his wife, empress masako will not be present. we have seen many masako will not be present. we have seen many articles lately saying how this is another sign of how out of date many of the institutions around the royalty and japan are. not allowing a woman to attend her own husband's sent to the phone but there are many others as well. ——

rise to the throne. you were talking earlier about the royal succession and the fact that women cannot succeed to the throne and the problems that that brings for the japanese royal family in the future. about a0 minutes ago there was another ceremony where he inherited two of the three treasures which we re two of the three treasures which were returned by emperor akihito yesterday. shall we talk our viewers through some of the details behind them? i keep being asked where the imperial crown is but there are three items, the sacred mirror, a sword and a gem. my understanding is that the actual sword and mirror are kept at the most sacred site in japan which is the shrine at ise in western japan, the most holy side of shinto which was the state religion and still the most sacred, very

japanese aspect of japanese culture. shintoism is native to japan and closely tied to them. system. those treasures, the sword and the mirror, are kept at the sacred shrine in mie prefecture. we saw the emperor take two copies to the shrine in ise to meet the originals and then brought them back here to tokyo. it is those copies... they are old as well but they are facsimiles of the originals which are then going to be... we saw him hand them over symbolically yesterday when he stepped down and they were then handed symbolically to his son. this morning the new emperor, to show that he takes up the sacred treasures of japan. emperor, to show that he takes up the sacred treasures ofjapanlj emperor, to show that he takes up the sacred treasures of japan. i was helping the researcher of an article about the three treasures and it tested my historical knowledge. these are duplicates, as you say,

but at the same time they represent this long history of japan's imperialfamily this long history of japan's imperial family and it this long history of japan's imperialfamily and it is believed that the first—ever emperor, jimmu who took the three and 660 bc. the world ‘s longest reigning monarchy. a lot of it is mythology, the fact that they were descended from the sun goddess, but there is a continuous record of japanese emperors from around 500 a.d. so historically, at least, this is 1500 yea rs of historically, at least, this is 1500 years of direct descent to emperor naruhito today. and that is the old est naruhito today. and that is the oldest monarchy in the world. the british monarchy dates back to 1066. i don't think there is anybody else who comes close to the japanese monarchy for a continuous unbroken succession. stay with us, rupert. we

will bring in laura who is out and about mingling with hundreds of people gathering here and hoping to get a glimpse of the new imperial couple. you just missed a lovely little family who had drawn the imperial couple. we are surrounded by people so if we are jostled i apologise. hello. konnichiwa. you heard rupert talk about how old the japanese monarchy is, the oldest in the world and it is one of the reasons why there is such a fascination with them. that, and the fa ct fascination with them. that, and the fact that this new imperial couple, there is hope that they will continue on the legacy of their father and that is to reach out to the people and sit with them, to go through things together. that shared experience. when you speak to japanese people about their life they talk about it in terms of who

was emperor at the time and what the emperor was doing at the time, even though the emperor is not a political figure. they are a national symbol for the country. they hope they will continue this legacy of engaging with the people ofjapan and legacy of engaging with the people of japan and reaching legacy of engaging with the people ofjapan and reaching out further into the international community, given the fact that the emperor studied in oxford and the empress at harvard. they do have that international flavour. and, harvard. they do have that internationalflavour. and, laura, it goes to show how all these people are gathering here, how the imperial family and the imperial couple is very much loved by the japanese people. it is quite a difference that 70 or 80 years ago people were dying in the name of the emperor. emperor akihito who abdicated yesterday worse closer to the public and people are gathering to watch

the start of the new era. —— abdicated yesterday was closer to the public. the imperialfamily are now a cause of celebration and many people are proud of them. because emperor akihito, what he did for the people of japan, changed emperor akihito, what he did for the people ofjapan, changed the role and redefined the role. that was because of various things. firstly he married a commoner. secondly he reached out after various disasters and events injapan including the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 when 16,000 people were killed. the emperor and in 2011 when 16,000 people were killed. the emperorand empress knelt with those who had suffered and lost everything and that is something that japanese people had never seen something that japanese people had never seen before. also when it comes to emperor akihito he reached out to the former enemies ofjapan and healed japan's wartime reputation. there is a feeling that

this imperial family has become one thatis this imperial family has become one that is one with the people. and when it comes to the new emperor and empress there is a feeling and a hope that they would do exactly the same and that is one of the reasons why people are ushering in this new era and wondering what it may stand for. there is hope that he may speak and, although, it will not be a political speech it will be a symbolic and ceremonial speech but perhaps he can give a hint as to what exactly his reign will stand for. that is laura outside the imperial palace. thank you. let's bring you the live pictures from inside the imperial palace where the official ceremony for emperor naruhito to take to the throne will begin any minute now. as laura was mentioning, he will make a short speech, the first public address as the new emperor of japan. speech, the first public address as the new emperor ofjapan. strictly speaking, at midnight local time the era of reiwa has a gun

—— era of reiwa began. a stark difference to 30 years ago when emperor parker heater attended this exact emperor parker heater attended this exa ct eve nt emperor parker heater attended this exact event to take to the throne when the entire country was mourning the death of the previous emperor. this is a special edition of bbc world news. these are life is from inside the imperial palace and you can see all the guests inside the room. they are now walking into the room. they are now walking into the room. they are now walking into the room. the new emperor ofjapan, emperor naruhito who is taking to the throne and becoming the 126th emperor of japan. following him the throne and becoming the 126th emperor ofjapan. following him is his wife, empress masako. we were

saying that she was not going to be there, didn't we, but we now see her walk into the ceremony. it must be the earlier ceremony, the handing over of the royal treasures that she was not present for and then, actually, many of the people around us actually, many of the people around us here have gathered today when we we re us here have gathered today when we were just arriving to see the empress drive in a few minutes ago full of to take part in this second pa rt full of to take part in this second part of the ceremony. many people wanting to see the new empress for the first time and here she is standing next to her husband. the emperor and empress are now on the stage in front of... i'm not sure if thatis stage in front of... i'm not sure if that is the throne. i don't think those are official phones but they stand in front of two large chairs, ready for the moment when he will be declared the new emperor. as laura said earlier it is interesting that they are dressed in western attire. it is. and i think this is probably... i'm nota it is. and i think this is

probably... i'm not a historian, but japan adopted a lot of the aspects of western loyalty after the meiji restoration. and you can see the clothes that they are wearing, the emperor is wearing a tail code and the empress is wearing a royal gown, quite similar to what you may see european royalty where. so, yes, over the last 150 years there has been an adoption injapan of western address. it looks like we will hear from the new emperor. translation: for the imperial household law i assented to the imperial throne. when i think of this important term, ican when i think of this important term, i can already see a heavy burden on

my term. my father, the former emperor, always serve the country and the people of japan and emperor, always serve the country and the people ofjapan and i will a lwa ys and the people ofjapan and i will always see and he showed his great work as a emperor. emperor the emeritus showed us, as emperor, a symbol of the state and i will say thank you to the emperor emeritus. this occasion i inherent the imperial throne. i will look at the history of the imperial lineage and i will do my maximum effort to serve the country and the people of japan and also i abide by the constitution

and also i abide by the constitution andi and also i abide by the constitution and i work as a symbol of the state. i pledge my duty to enhance people's happiness and the peace of the world. we just heard from emperor naruhito making the first public address is emperor. interesting to note he mentioned about being the symbol of japan of course, legible —— japan's constitution doesn't allow him to have political power but is top father talked about the prosperity of japan but also the world. this was almost a mirror of what is father said in the past. this very

telling that the new emperor, festival hit thanked his father for the service to the country, and then he mentioned some keywords, as you say he mentioned testing constitution, something the previous emperor said 1989. we are just hearing from the japanese foreign minister. let's listen. so see the throne. on behalf of people of japan, i congratulate the succession. and i look back at the great work of emperor emeritus, i look —— i hope the improbable serve asa look —— i hope the improbable serve as a symbol of the state and also the prosperity of the country and the prosperity of the country and the peace of the world. we receive

his majesties word and in the turmoil of the world we will keep the future of japan turmoil of the world we will keep the future ofjapan and the future of our country, we will make, we will build the future of the new imperial error. —— era. will build the future of the new imperialerror. —— era. i will build the future of the new imperial error. —— era. i hope the peace and prosperity of the imperial throne. we just heard from the prime minister, making a statement as emperor naruhito officially, formally has taken to the throne and become the new emperor. we were just talking about how the new emperor talked about protecting the constitution and we know that the

prime minister has publicly been trying to change the constitution, the pacifist constitution. yes. this is all very coded language. the new emperor, like his father before him has to be very careful about exactly not expressing any political opinion. it is of note, it is interesting that his father when he stepped down yesterday, he talked about his wish for the peace and prosperity are people injapan was to pan for peace and prosperity around the world. and he made a much broader view and his son today, the new emperor naruhito, again has talked about technical constitution. his talked about him being a symbol of the state, not being head of state, not being a god like his grandfather used to be but being the symbol of the state. reconfirming what is father has always said during his reign. his duty to

increase harmony and peace of the world. not of japan, increase harmony and peace of the world. not ofjapan, but of the world. not ofjapan, but of the world was not again, speaking of a bigger vision, notjust a narrow vision of the monarchy here in japan. very coded the anchorage, one perhaps can read too much into these things that it is interesting to see that he is immediately carrying on the legacy of his father. stay with us, you the legacy of his father. stay with us, you are the legacy of his father. stay with us, you are watching bbc world news, you are seeing the live pictures from inside the imperial palace where the imperial family members have now left the room where emperor naruhito has formally taken to the throne, becoming the 126th emperor ofjapan, throne, becoming the 126th emperor of japan, with throne, becoming the 126th emperor ofjapan, with him was his wife. let's bring back in our digital editor of bbc‘s japan language website. i remember talking to you about the weather, yesterday was horrendous with heavy rain. today we are blessed with this gorgeous

sunshine. you remember the day the new emperor and empress got married. yes, andi new emperor and empress got married. yes, and i was watching you under your umbrellas yesterday and feeling sorry for you and all of that. this morning, although it was rather cloudy, some thought it was creeping in. i vividly remember 1993 and they got married. it was drizzling something that that and when they cannot for the parade in an open horse drawn carriage, the sun came out. and considering, are not going to be going to have the in on this but the imperial house has a lot to do with the sun god. said was very symbolic and i remember, when the sun such this morning. and of course, his father, emperorakihito was born as a course, his father, emperorakihito was born 3s a crown course, his father, emperorakihito was born as a crown prince there is

emperor naruhito had time to enjoy his life as an academic. he is a no family man he is pledged to protect his wife when she had some difficulties adjusting to the imperial life. yes, of course the new emperor was expected to become what he has become since day one. that doesn't change and his father was not raised by his parents according to tradition. his closest confidant was his tutor and governess. where is the new emperor from day one raised by his own pa rents. from day one raised by his own parents. and as you say she was able to go to oxford which he said was the best years of his life. i don't know but what happened since but what happened, very different

experiences to broaden out his vision and dick specht and sun life —— expectance on life. a sign of things that things are happening. 0ur things that things are happening. our digital editor of bbc‘s japanese language website, thank you for joining us today. let's bring back injames joining us today. let's bring back in james brown from joining us today. let's bring back injames brown from temple university of japan. we've just seen emperor naruhito take to the throne formally. what do you make of this historical moment forjapan? formally. what do you make of this historical moment for japan?|j formally. what do you make of this historical moment forjapan? i think eve ryo ne historical moment forjapan? i think everyone is looking to see what would be the content of the speech, that seems to pointed towards continuity. be looking at really come to define the new era. there are positive things coming up very soon. are positive things coming up very soon. there is due 20 which will be taking place at the end ofjune in 0saka. the ceremony in october, more

world leaders visiting them, the rugby world cup, the olympics next year. all of these positive events will define the era in a good way. there are lingering threats as well in northeast asia. there are security threats above all with north korea. that's a concern for japan and slower burning issues. the demographic issue within japan japan and slower burning issues. the demographic issue withinjapan and also concerns about the economy. it's difficult to predict what the new irritable hold. you didn't mention president trump. he is going to be here to this month and he will become the first foreign lever directly to —— leader to meet the emperor. the japanese government decide on these meetings. 0n the premises parity has been to remain very close to the united states. japan sees itself as having a difficult situation insecurity, within that scenario it is the support of the us. the approach has

been to hold the us president close and that includes giving him the privilege of being the first foreign leader to officially meet the new emperor. of course, president trump said if it's 100 emperor. of course, president trump said if it's100 times more important than the super bowl, then he will come and meet him. james brown, thank you so much for staying with us. for this special coverage from the bbc of the imperial succession of japan's imperial family. we have now seen emperor naruhito taking to the throne. he has become the 126th emperor of japan. his part of an unbroken dynasty which has asked for more than 2000 years. his father's friend came to an official and yesterday when he abdicated. he became the first japanese monarchy to step down in over two centuries. as you can probably see behind us, hundreds of people are gathering outside the imperial palace, it's not you get to see them that closely but still a

lot of people celebrating the start of the new era stop you have been watching the special edition of bbc world is. thank you so much for watching. tempers reach 90 degrees temperature is only going one way through the rest of this week. it will be getting colder everywhere. —— 19 degrees. the area of the cloud producing some shower outbreaks. that is moving and very slowly eastwards. we are dragging on my cloud across scotland, most of the rain in the south of the country. the rent should have moved away from northern ireland and some sunshine on the way. a much better today for wednesday. but when moving over the irish sea away from the isle of man into the westernmost parts, further east drive. maybe semester and fog patches early in the bonnet. through lincolnshire and east anglia. also,

likely to find some showers breaking out, especially if it does tend to brighten up there will be if fair amount of cloud around. temperature is not as high as they were. i step register with the south—east 17 or 18. one definite northern ireland, call the day for northern scotland. here we will have some showers which could be quite heavy into the evening as well. showers further south, tend to fade away and vilified some more breaks in the cloud here and there, not to cold, mind you. those temperatures will be around five or six degrees, one or two mist and fog patches perhaps. as we head into thursday, we're going to find while they will be some sunshine bill have some car developing and showers developing, some could be heavy and thundering. whatsoever —— moving into the north—west of incan. temperatures dropping in northern scotland still further south temperatures of 15 or 16 degrees. by the time we get to friday, shoves continuing to develop across a good part of england and

wales the showers are pushing into scotland, those are turning wintry even to some quite lower levels as well. temperature six or seven degrees here, highest damages toward southern england and wales, 15 degrees. that colder air will be pushing down across the whole of the country through friday night. and into the start of the bank holiday weekend. it may well be a bit of frost around as well for the start of the weekend too. it chilly start, wind down the eastern side of the uk. a lot of dry weather over the weekend. probably by monday the temperature is beginning to rise.

this is bbc news — the headlines: japan's new emperor naruhito has formally ascended to the throne at a brief but symbol—laden ceremony at the imperial palace in tokyo. he received three sacred treasures — a sword, jewel, and mirror — that his father — akihito — relinquished when he abdicated on tuesday. the venezuelan president nicolas maduro has given a defiant television address after a day of mass protests against his rule. he saluted the loyalty of the armed forces and said he would emerge victorious in the face of the oppositon campaign to force him to stand down. senior democrats in the us are saying they've reached agreement with president trump to invest $2 trillion in infrastructure projects. this will include modernising roads, rail lines and water supplies and upgrading the power grid to deliver greener energy. they've also agreed that broadband

should reach every american home. now on bbc news, panorama. this programme contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. tonight — the scandal of child abuse in the church of england. i think it's been a very big problem, perhaps bigger than any of us would want to think. we investigate how senior clergy in one diocese failed to act. it should have been dealt with right away. and they didn't. theyjust turned a blind eye and moved on. abusers in church dioceses who were able to evade justice for decades... they were extremely serious, some of the worst sexual offending that's imaginable really. we ask: did the church put its own interests before the needs of survivors? i think there was too much concern about the reputation of the church, and there was not enough care

for those who are themselves