appoint/designate (about the role of the emperor in Japanese society)

I was trying to explain about the role of the emperor in Japanese soiety to my American friends.
Since it seems many American people have watched the film "The Last Samurai" and they believe that the emperor is still like that, I want to clear up the misunderstanding.

In Japan today, we are taught in school that the emperor is the symbol of Japan. He is not a ruler.
The emperor had political power before Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945, but it was separated from politics by the Constitution of Japan after that. Now the emperor just appoints the prime minister designated by the Diet.

Does the blue sentence make sence?
I mean, the emperor does not choose the prime minister. The Diet chooses it.
So I used "appoints", but I found out that Longman says "appoint" means "to choose someone for a position or a job". appoint - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online

If "appoints" doesn't work here, what would be the correct word?

Thank you.

"Appoints" is fine. We have a very similar system here in the UK.
To make it absolutely clear, you could phrase it as "The emperor confirms the appointment of the prime minister designated by the Diet".

Say he "ceremonially appoints the prime minister chosen by the Diet" to emphasize that the emperor is only acting as a figurehead.

Thank you, Grumpy and SoothingDave!