On January 7, 1989, when Akihito succeeded the throne, the ceremony was referred to as 'the ceremony of the Kenji and others' in accordance with the principle of separation of religion and state.
明仁皇位継承の際の1989年1月7日には、憲法の政教分離規定への配慮から「剣璽等承継の儀」とされた。