Japan’s new emperor ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in a ritual ceremony on Wednesday that barred women participants, including the new emperor’s wife and daughter.

Emperor Naruhito officially ascended to the throne of the world’s older monarchy at midnight local time on Wednesday, but the transfer of powers from his father, Akihito, was cemented in the ceremony hours later.

In the all-male ceremony, the new emperor was given the Imperial regalia of sword and jewel as proof that the throne had been passed from father to son.

The ceremony, performed at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, was approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his cabinet earlier on Wednesday local time, despite criticism over its ban on female participants.

With no women participating, only one woman was even let into the room where the ceremony occurred, a member of Abe’s cabinet.

Shortly after the ceremony, Naruhito’s wife, Empress Masako, arrived to the palace by car and donned a diamond-encrusted tiara as she joined her husband for his first address to the nation.

Akihito’s abdication marked the first time in more than 200 years that the occupant of the throne stepped down. The last to do so was Emperor Kokaku in 1817.

Each emperor’s reign is marked by an era name in the nation. Naruhito’s ascension ushers in the “Reiwa” era, meaning “beautiful harmony.”