Crown Prince Akishino is seen on Nov. 20, 2020, at his residence in the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) will attend the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics in place of Emperor Naruhito, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday.

       The emperor's younger brother will attend the ceremony at the National Stadium on Sept. 5. Like the opening ceremony, it will be held without spectators as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

       The crown prince also attended the closing ceremony of the Olympics at the stadium in place of the emperor on Aug. 8.

       The emperor serves as the honorary patron of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. He declared the start of the Olympics on July 23 and that of the Paralympics on Tuesday during their opening ceremonies.

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