Akihito, Emperor Emeritus of Japan

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Akihito

Japanese: 上皇 明仁 陛下
Also Known As: "継宮"
Birthdate:
Birthplace: the Imperial Palace 皇居, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Immediate Family:

Son of Hirohito, Emperor of Japan and Nagako, Empress Kōjun
Husband of Private
Father of Emperor Naruhito of Japan; Private and Private
Brother of Shigeko Higashikuni (Terunomiya); Sachiko Hisanomiya (Terunomiya); Kazuko Takatsukasa (Takanomiya); Private; Private and 4 others

Occupation: 125th Emperor of Japan
Managed by: Private User
Last Updated:
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Immediate Family

About Akihito, Emperor Emeritus of Japan

Akihito (明仁) reigned as the 125th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, from 7 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. He succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne upon the death of his father, Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito). Upon abdication due to his age and declining health, he became the Emperor Emeritus of Japan. He was succeeded as of 1 May 2019 by his eldest son, Naruhito.

Golden Fleece - Knights: Spanish Branch

  • Akihito 明仁 Kinjo-tenno 今上天皇, Heika 陛下
  • In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to "His Imperial Majesty" (天皇陛下 Tennō Heika?). In writing, the emperor is also referred to formally as "The Reigning Emperor" (今上天皇 kinjō tennō?). The Era of Akihito's reign bears the name "Heisei" (平成), and according to custom he will be renamed "Emperor Heisei" (平成天皇 Heisei tennō; see "posthumous name") by order of the cabinet after his death. At the same time, the name of the next era under his successor will also be established.
  • Akihito is the eldest son and the fifth child of Emperor Hirohito (the Shōwa Emperor) and Empress Kōjun. Titled Prince Tsugu (継宮 Tsugu-no-miya?) as a child, he was raised and educated by his private tutors and then attended the elementary and secondary departments of the Peers' School (Gakushūin) from 1940 to 1952.[2] Unlike his predecessors in the Imperial Family, he did not receive a commission as an Army officer, at the request of his father, Hirohito.
  • During the American firebombing raids on Tokyo in March 1945, he and his younger brother, HIH Prince Masahito, were evacuated from the city. During the American occupation of Japan following World War II, Prince Akihito was tutored in English and Western manners by Elizabeth Gray Vining. He briefly studied at the Department of Political Science at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, though he never received a degree. Although he was Heir-Apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne from the moment of his birth, his formal Investiture as Crown Prince (立太子礼 Rittaishi-no-rei?) was held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on 10 November 1952. In June 1953, Crown Prince Akihito represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London.
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Akihito, Emperor Emeritus of Japan's Timeline

1933
December 23, 1933
the Imperial Palace 皇居, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
1960
February 23, 1960
Tokyo, Japan