More than 200 Japanese citizens, including members of Christian groups and Buddhist monks, sued the government on Monday over its plan to use taxpayer money for ceremonies next year to mark the new emperor’s enthronement, SCMP reported.

About 240 people have joined a lawsuit filed at Tokyo District Court, arguing that funding what they say are religious ceremonies from the national budget violates the constitutional separation of religion and state.

It is believed to be the first suit of its kind filed over Crown Prince Naruhito’s ascent to the Chrysanthemum throne, set for May 1, the day after his father Emperor Akihito abdicates.
The budget for next year’s ceremonies has not been made public but the government has said it will follow precedent.

Koichi Shin, one of the plaintiffs, said the ceremonies in 1990 – after Akihito ascended the throne – cost around 12.3 billion yen at the time (US$108 million at the current exchange rate).

The suit comes after Prince Akishino, the emperor’s younger son, issued rare public criticism of the government over plans to spend state funds on religious rites related to Naruhito’s enthronement.