The Commemoration Ceremony of the Twentieth Anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor's Accession to the Throne, which the Cabinet hosted, was held in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, at the National Theatre in Tokyo.

Following the opening address by Mr. Naoto Kan, Deputy Prime Minister, and the singing of the national anthem, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama delivered an address as the Chairman of the Ceremony.

In his address, Prime Minister Hatoyama referred to an episode of Their Majesties' visit to the area struck by the Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake in 2004, as well as an episode of Their Majesties' visit to Saipan in 2005, the 60th year after the end of the war. The Prime Minister said, "Looking back at the past twenty years, His Majesty has walked with the people of Japan, always keeping in mind the stipulation of the Constitution of Japan that 'The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and the unity of the people.'"

The Prime Minister also offered "Best wishes for the continued health of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress into the future," in prayer for the health of Their Majesties who are extremely busy everyday. He concluded his remarks by saying, "Here, with the people of Japan, I congratulate His Majesty on the 20th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne, and pray with my whole heart for the health of Their Majesties and the prosperity of the Imperial Family."