TOKYO, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo police said they found the body of a man Wednesday at an imperial burial site in Tokyo, with his death thought to have been from suicide.
Police finding the dead body coincided with an historic day for Japan as a number of ceremonies and events have been taking place in honor of Emperor Naruhito ascending the throne, following Emperor Emeritus Akihito abdicating on Tuesday.
The body was found by an official from the Imperial Household Agency at the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji, on the outskirts of Tokyo, in the morning, police officials said.
A number of imperial family members have been buried at the graveyard, including the great-grandfather and grandfather of Emperor Naruhito.
The household representative notified the police in the morning, prior to Emperor Naruhito making his first public address and as the nation was waking up to welcome the new Reiwa Era, which began at midnight when Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Police investigators said they believe the man killed himself with a crossbow, as a bolt was found in his body.
The crossbow itself was recovered from near the scene in an area that had been closed off for construction, the police said.
