Akihito

Emperor of Japan from 1989 to 2019

For other uses, see Akihito (disambiguation).

"Emperor Akihito" redirects here. For emperor of the same name, see Emperor Sutoku.

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|

Akihito

* 明仁

Akihito in 2024

Emperor of Japan
Reign| 7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019
Enthronement| 12 November 1990
Predecessor| Shōwa
Successor| Naruhito

Born| Akihito, Prince Tsugu
(継宮明仁親王)
(1933-12-23) 23 December 1933 (age 91)
Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Spouse|

Michiko Shōda

(m. 1959)​

Issue|

* Naruhito, Emperor of Japan
* Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan
* Sayako Kuroda

| Era name and dates

Heisei:
8 January 1989 – 30 April 2019
House| Imperial House of Japan
Father| Emperor Shōwa
Mother| Princess Nagako Kuni
Religion| Shinto
Signature|

Japanese imperial family

The Emperor
The Empress

* The Princess Toshi

The Emperor Emeritus
The Empress Emerita

* The Crown Prince Akishino
The Crown Princess Akishino
* Princess Kako of Akishino
* Prince Hisahito of Akishino

* The Prince Hitachi
The Princess Hitachi

* Princess Tomohito of Mikasa
* Princess Akiko of Mikasa
* Princess Yōko of Mikasa
* The Princess Takamado
* Princess Tsuguko of Takamado

* v
* t
* e

Akihito[a] (born 23 December 1933) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th Emperor of Japan from 7 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. The era of his rule was named the Heisei era, Heisei being an expression of achieving peace worldwide.[1]

Akihito was born as the fifth child and first son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. During the Second World War, he moved out of Tokyo with his classmates and remained in Nikkō until the surrender of Japan. In 1952, his Coming-of-Age ceremony and investiture as crown prince were held, and he began to undertake official duties in his capacity as crown prince.[2] The next year, he made his first journey overseas and represented Japan at the coronation of Elizabeth II in London. He completed his university education in 1956. In April 1959, he married Michiko Shōda, a commoner; it was the first imperial wedding to be televised in Japan, drawing about 15 million viewers.[3] The couple has three children: Naruhito, Fumihito, and Sayako.

Akihito succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne and became emperor upon his father's death in January 1989, with an enthronement ceremony in 1990. He made efforts to bring the imperial family closer to the Japanese people, and made official visits to all forty-seven prefectures of Japan and to many of the remote islands of Japan. He has a keen interest in natural life and conservation, as well as Japanese and world history.[2] Akihito abdicated in 2019, citing his advanced age and declining health,[4] and assumed the title Emperor Emeritus (上皇, Jōkō; lit. 'Retired Emperor'). He was succeeded by his elder son, Naruhito, whose era is named Reiwa (令和). At age 91, Akihito is the longest-lived verifiable Japanese emperor in recorded history. During his reign, 17 prime ministers served in 25 terms, beginning with Noboru Takeshita and ending with Shinzo Abe. He is the oldest living member of the Imperial House of Japan, following the death of Yuriko, Princess Mikasa on 15 November 2024.[b]

## Name

[edit]

During his reign, Akihito was never referred to by his own name, but instead as "His Majesty the Emperor" (天皇陛下, Tennō Heika) which may be shortened to "the Emperor" (天皇, Tennō) or "His Majesty" (陛下, Heika).[5] The era of Akihito's reign from 1989 to 2019 bore the era name Heisei (平成), and according to custom he will be posthumously renamed Emperor Heisei (平成天皇, Heisei Tennō) as the 125th emperor of Japan by order of the Cabinet.

Following his abdication, he is referred to by the title of Jōkō (上皇), officially translated as "Emperor Emeritus".[6][7][8][9]

## Early life and education

[edit]

One year old Akihito with his mother Empress Nagako, 1934

Prince Akihito (明仁親王, Akihito Shinnō) was born on 23 December 1933 at 6:39 am in the Tokyo Imperial Palace as the fifth child and eldest son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. Titled Prince Tsugu (継宮, Tsugu-no-miya) as a child, Akihito was educated by private tutors prior to attending the elementary and secondary departments of the Peers' School (Gakushūin) from 1940 to 1952.[2] At the request of his father, he did not receive a commission as an army officer, unlike his predecessors.

Akihito being invested as Crown Prince, 1952

During the American firebombing raids on Tokyo in March 1945 during World War II, Akihito and his younger brother Prince Masahito were evacuated from the city. Akihito was tutored in the English language and Western manners by Elizabeth Gray Vining during the Allied occupation of Japan, and later briefly studied at the department of political science at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, though he never received a degree.

Akihito was the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne from birth. His formal investiture as crown prince (立太子の礼, Rittaishi-no-rei) took place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on 10 November 1952. In June 1953, Akihito represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London on his first journey abroad. He later completed his university education as a special student in 1956.[2]

## Marriage and family

[edit]

A Japanese stamp commemorating the imperial wedding, 1959

In August 1957, Akihito met Michiko Shōda[2][10] on a tennis court at Karuizawa near Nagano. Initially, there was little enthusiasm for the couple's relationship; Michiko Shōda was considered too low class for the young Crown Prince and had been educated in a Catholic environment. Therefore, in September 1958, she was sent away to Brussels to attend an international conference of the Alumnae du Sacré-Cœur. The Crown Prince was determined to keep in contact with his girlfriend but did not want to create a diplomatic incident. Therefore, he contacted the young King Baudouin of Belgium to send his messages directly to his loved one. Baudouin later negotiated the marriage of the couple with the Emperor, directly stating that if the Crown Prince was happy with Michiko, he would be a better emperor later on.[11]

The Imperial Household Council formally approved the engagement of the Crown Prince to Michiko Shōda on 27 November 1958. The announcement of the then-Crown Prince Akihito's engagement and forthcoming marriage to Michiko Shōda drew opposition from traditionalist groups, because Shōda was from a Catholic family.[12] Although she was never baptized, she had been educated in Catholic schools and seemed to share her parents' faith. Rumours also speculated that Prince Akihito's mother, Empress Kōjun had opposed the engagement. After the death of Empress Kōjun on 16 June 2000, Reuters reported that she was one of the strongest opponents of her son's marriage, and that in the 1960s, she had driven her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to depression by persistently accusing Shōda of not being suitable for her son.[13][failed verification] At that time, the media presented their encounter as a real "fairy tale",[14] or the "romance of the tennis court". It was the first time a commoner had married into the Imperial Family, breaking more than 2,600 years of tradition.[15] The engagement ceremony took place on 14 January 1959, and the marriage on 10 April 1959.

The couple have three children (two sons and a daughter):

1. Naruhito, Prince Hiro (浩宮徳仁親王, Hiro-no-miya Naruhito Shinnō; born 23 February 1960 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo)
2. Fumihito, Prince Aya (礼宮文仁親王, Aya-no-miya Fumihito Shinnō; born 30 November 1965 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo)
3. Sayako, Princess Nori (紀宮清子内親王, Nori-no-miya Sayako Naishinnō; born 18 April 1969 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo), following her marriage to urban designer Yoshiki Kuroda on 15 November 2005, Princess Nori gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law, took the surname of her husband and became known as "Sayako Kuroda" (黒田清子, Kuroda Sayako).

Akihito and Michiko arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in their last foreign visit as crown prince and princess, 1987 (Shōwa 62)

Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko made official visits to thirty-seven countries. As an Imperial Prince, Akihito compared the role of Japanese royalty to that of a robot. He expressed the desire to help bring the Imperial family closer to the people of Japan.[16]

## Reign

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2021)

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Emperor Akihito wearing the sokutai at his enthronement ceremony, 1990

Upon the death of Emperor Shōwa on 7 January 1989, Akihito acceded to the throne,[17][18] becoming the 125th Emperor of Japan at the age of 55 and the third oldest to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne in history. The enthronement ceremony took place on 12 November 1990.[2] In 1998, during a state visit to the United Kingdom, he was invested with the Order of the Garter.

Following his accession, he began issuing several wide-ranging statements of remorse to Asian countries, for their suffering under Japanese occupation, beginning with an expression of remorse to China made in April 1989, three months after the death of his father, Emperor Shōwa.

On 23 December 2001, during his annual birthday meeting with reporters, the Emperor, in response to a reporter's question about tensions with South Korea, remarked that he felt a kinship with Koreans and went on to explain that, in the Shoku Nihongi, the mother of Emperor Kammu (736–806) is related to Muryeong of Korea, King of Baekje, a fact that was considered taboo for discussion.[19][20]

In June 2005, the Emperor and Empress visited the island of Saipan (part of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory),[21] the site of a battle in 1944 during World War II. Akihito offered prayers and flowers at several memorials, honouring not only the Japanese who died, but also American servicemen, Korean labourers, and local islanders. It was the first trip by a Japanese monarch to a World War II battlefield abroad. The Saipan journey was received with high praise by the Japanese people, as were the Emperor's visits to war memorials in Tokyo, Hiroshima Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture in 1995.

After succeeding to the throne, Akihito made an effort to bring the Imperial family closer to the Japanese people. He and Michiko made official visits to eighteen countries and to all forty-seven Japanese prefectures.[2] Akihito has never visited Yasukuni Shrine, continuing his predecessor's boycott from 1978, due to its enshrinement of war criminals.[22]

On 6 September 2006, the Emperor celebrated the birth of his first grandson, Prince Hisahito, the third child of the Emperor's younger son. Prince Hisahito was the first male heir born to the Japanese imperial family in 41 years (since his father Prince Akishino) and could avert the Japanese imperial succession crisis, as the only child of the Emperor's elder son, the then Crown Prince Naruhito, is his daughter, Princess Aiko, who is not eligible for the throne under Japan's male-only succession law. The birth of Prince Hisahito meant that proposed changes to the law to allow Aiko to ascend the throne were dropped.[23][24]

In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami which also triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Emperor made a historic televised appearance [ja] urging his people not to give up hope and to help each other.[25][26]

### Constitutional role

[edit]

Emperor Akihito performs official duties, 2003

Under the Constitution of Japan, Akihito's role was entirely representative and ceremonial in nature, without even a nominal role in government; indeed, he was not allowed to make political statements. He was limited to acting in matters of state as delineated in the Constitution. Even in those matters, he was bound by the requirements of the Constitution and the binding advice of the Cabinet. For instance, while he formally appointed the Prime Minister, he was required to appoint the person designated by the Diet.[27][28]

## Abdication

[edit]

Main articles: Japanese imperial succession debate and 2019 Japanese imperial transition

Akihito, at Chōwaden Reception Hall, giving his final New Year's address as Emperor to the Japanese people, January 2019

On 13 July 2016, national broadcaster NHK reported that the then 82-year-old Emperor intended to abdicate in favour of his eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito within a few years, citing his age. An abdication within the Imperial Family had not occurred since Emperor Kōkaku in 1817. However, senior officials within the Imperial Household Agency denied that there was any official plan for the monarch to abdicate. Abdication by the Emperor required an amendment to the Imperial Household Law, which had no provisions for such a move.[29][30] On 8 August 2016, the Emperor gave a rare televised address, where he emphasized his advanced age and declining health;[31] this address was interpreted as an implication of his intention to abdicate.[32]

On 19 May 2017, the bill that would allow Akihito to abdicate was issued by the Cabinet of Japan. On 8 June 2017, the National Diet passed it, whereupon it became known as the Emperor Abdication Law. This commenced government preparations to hand the position over to Naruhito.[33] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced in December 2017 that Akihito's abdication would take place at the end of 30 April 2019, and that Naruhito would become the 126th Emperor as of 1 May 2019.[4]

## Post-abdication

[edit]

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita privately watch the third-place match (New Zealand vs Wales) of the 2019 Rugby World Cup held in Ajinomoto Stadium, November 2019

On 19 March 2020, Akihito and his wife moved out of the Imperial Palace, marking their first public appearance since his abdication.[34] On 31 March, they moved in to the Takanawa Residence.[35]

In December 2021, Akihito celebrated his 88th birthday (米寿, Bēju), making him the longest-living verifiable Japanese emperor in recorded history, ahead of his father.[36] His daily routine is said to include morning and evening walks with his wife, reading and visits to an imperial biology institute.[37]

In August 2023, Akihito and Michiko visited the tennis court where they first met and interacted with members of the organization responsible for its upkeep.[38]

With the death of Princess Yuriko in November 2024, Akihito became the oldest living member of the Japanese imperial family.[39]

## Health

[edit]

Emperor Akihito underwent surgery for prostate cancer on 14 January 2003.[40] Later in 2011 he was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia.[41] In February 2012, it was announced that the Emperor would be having a coronary examination;[42] he underwent successful heart bypass surgery on 18 February 2012.[43] In July 2018, he suffered from nausea and dizziness due to insufficient blood flow to his brain. In January 2020, he temporarily lost consciousness and collapsed at his residence, though "no abnormalities" were detected in his brain.[44] He was diagnosed with heart failure in July 2022.[45] In 2025, Akihito was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia[46] and supraventricular tachycardia.[47]

## Children

[edit]

The Emperor and Empress with their family, 2013

Akihito and Michiko have two sons and a daughter.

Name  | Birth  | Marriage  | Children

|
|
|

Date  | Spouse
Naruhito, Emperor of Japan
(Naruhito, Prince Hiro)  |  (1960-02-23) 23 February 1960 (age 65) | 9 June 1993  | Masako Owada | Aiko, Princess Toshi
Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan
(Fumihito, Prince Aya)  |  (1965-11-30) 30 November 1965 (age 59) | 29 June 1990  | Kiko Kawashima |

* Mako Komuro
* Princess Kako
* Prince Hisahito

Sayako Kuroda
(Sayako, Princess Nori)  |  (1969-04-18) 18 April 1969 (age 56) | 15 November 2005  | Yoshiki Kuroda  | None

## Ichthyological research

[edit]

Scholia has an author profile for Akihito.

In extension of his father's interest in marine biology, who published taxonomic works on the Hydrozoa, the Emperor Emeritus is a published ichthyological researcher, and has specialized in studies within the taxonomy of the family Gobiidae.[48] He has written papers for scholarly journals such as Gene, Ichthyological Research, and the Japanese Journal of Ichthyology.[49][50] He has also written papers about the history of science during the Edo and Meiji eras, which were published in Science[51] and Nature.[52] In 2005, a newly described goby was named Exyrias akihito in his honour, and in 2007 a genus Akihito of gobies native to Vanuatu also received his name. In 2021, the Imperial Household Agency announced Akihito had discovered two new species of goby fish. The discovery was catalogued in an English-language journal published by the Ichthyological Society of Japan.[53][54]

In 1965, then-Crown Prince Akihito sent 50 Nile tilapia to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in response to a request for fish that could solve malnutrition issues in the country. The species has since become a major food source in Thailand and a major export.[55]

* Member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan
* Foreign member of the Linnean Society of London (1980)
* Honorary member of the Linnean Society of London (1986)
* Research associate of the Australian Museum
* Honorary member of the Zoological Society of London (1992)
* Honorary member of the Research Institute for Natural Science of Argentina (1997)
* Honorary degree of the Uppsala University (2007)

## Honours

[edit]

See also: List of honours of the Japanese imperial family by country

This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
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|

Country  | Awards

|

Afghanistan |  Order of the Supreme Sun
Austria |  Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria, Grand Star[56]
Bahrain |  Order of al-Khalifa, Collar
Belgium |  Order of Leopold, Grand Cordon
Botswana |  Presidential Order
Brazil |  National Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Collar
Bulgaria |  Order of the Balkan Mountains, Grand Cross
Cambodia |  Royal Order of Cambodia, Grand Cross
Cameroon |  Order of Valour, Grand Cordon
Chile |  Order of the Merit of Chile, Collar
Colombia |  Order of Boyaca, Grand Collar
Côte d'Ivoire |  National Order of the Ivory Coast, Grand Cross
Czech Republic |  Order of the White Lion, Member 1st Class (Civil Division) with Collar
Denmark |  Order of the Elephant, Knight (8 August 1953)[57]
Egypt |  Order of the Nile, Collar
Estonia |  Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, The Collar of the Cross of Terra Mariana[58]
Ethiopian Empire |  Order of the Seal of Solomon, Grand Cordon (1960)[citation needed]
Finland |  Order of the White Rose, Grand Cross with Collar[59]
France |  National Order of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross
The Gambia |  Order of the Republic of the Gambia, Grand Commander
Germany |  Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross Special Class
Greece |  Order of the Redeemer, Grand Cross
Hungary |  Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, Grand Cross with Chain
Iceland |  Order of the Falcon, Collar with Grand Cross Breast Star
Indonesia |  Star of the Republic of Indonesia, Member 1st Class (Adipurna) (31 January 1962)[60]
Ireland |  Freedom of the City of Dublin, awarded by Lord Mayor of Dublin
Italy |  Order of Merit of the Republic, Knight Grand Cross with Collar
Jordan |  Order of al-Hussein bin Ali, Collar
Kazakhstan |  Order of the Golden Eagle, Recipient
Kenya |  Order of the Golden Heart, Chief
Kuwait |  Order of Mubarak the Great, Collar
Latvia |  Order of the Three Stars, Commander Grand Cross with Chain[61]
Liberia |  Order of the Star of Africa, Grand Cross
Order of the Pioneers of Liberia, Grand Cordon
Lithuania |  Order of Vytautas the Great, Golden Chain[62]
Luxembourg |  Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau, Knight
Malawi |  Order of the Lion, Grand Commander
Malaysia |  Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm, Honorary Recipient
Mali |  National Order of Mali, Grand Cordon
Mexico |  Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, Collar
Morocco |  Order of Muhammad, Member Special Class
Nepal |  Order of the Benevolent Ruler, Member (19 April 1960)[63]
King Birendra Investiture Medal (24 February 1975)[64]
Netherlands |  Order of the Netherlands Lion, Knight Grand Cross
Nigeria |  Order of the Federal Republic, Grand Commander
Norway |  Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, Grand Cross with Collar (11 August 1953)[65]
Oman |  Order of Oman, Member 1st Class
Pakistan |  Nishan-e-Pakistan, Member 1st Class
Panama |  Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero, Collar
Peru |  Order of the Sun, Grand Cross with Diamonds
Philippines |  Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander[66]
Order of Sikatuna, Grand Collar (Raja)[67]
Order of Lakandula, Grand Collar
Poland |  Order of the White Eagle, Knight
Portugal |  Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, Grand Collar (2 December 1993)
Order of Prince Henry, Grand Collar (12 May 1998)[68]
Qatar |  Collar of Independence
Saudi Arabia |  Badr Chain
Senegal |  National Order of the Lion, Grand Cross
South Africa |  Order of Good Hope, Grand Cross in Gold (4 July 1995)[69]
Spain |  Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight
Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, Grand Cross
Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, Collar
Sweden |  Royal Order of the Seraphim, Knight
Thailand |  Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn, Knight
Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri, Knight
King Bhumibol Adulyadej Diamond Jubilee Medal
Ukraine |  Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Member 1st Class
United Arab Emirates |  Collar of the Federation
United Kingdom |  Most Noble Order of the Garter, Stranger Knight Companion (985th member; 1998)
Royal Victorian Order, Honorary Knight Grand Cross (1953)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (2 June 1953)
FR Yugoslavia a |  Order of the Yugoslav Star, Yugoslav Great Star
Zaire b |  National Order of the Leopard, Grand Cordon

a FR Yugoslavia split into Serbia and Montenegro. As of 2006 this order is аbolished.
b Zaire is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Other awards

* The Royal Society King Charles II Medal
* Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan (1971)[70]

## Overseas visits

[edit]

The following tables include official visits jointly made by the Emperor and Empress from 1991 to 2017.[71][72][73] Although Empress Michiko has made two official visits on her own, in 2002 (to Switzerland) and 2014 (to Belgium), they did not include the Emperor and are not included in this list.

### 1990s

[edit]

Dates  | Location(s)  | Details

|
|

26 September – 6 October 1991  |

* Thailand
* Malaysia
* Indonesia

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia"
23–28 October 1992  | China | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of China"
6–9 August 1993  | Belgium | Attended the funeral of King Baudouin of Belgium.[74]
3–19 September 1993  |

* Italy
* Vatican City
* Belgium
* Germany

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Italy, Belgium and Germany"
10–26 June 1994  | United States | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of the United States"
2–14 October 1994  |

* France
* Spain

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of France and Spain"
30 May – 13 June 1997  |

* Brazil
* Argentina

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Brazil and Argentina"
23 May – 5 June 1998  |

* United Kingdom
* Denmark

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of the United Kingdom and Denmark"

### 2000s

[edit]

The Emperor and Empress bowing their heads for a moment of silence at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, 2009 Dates  | Location(s)  | Details

|
|

20 May – 1 June 2000  |

* Netherlands
* Sweden

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Netherlands and Sweden"
6–20 July 2002  |

* Czech Republic
* Poland
* Hungary

| "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary"
7–14 May 2005  | Norway | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Norway"
27–28 June 2005  | United States  | Commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
8–15 June 2006  |

* Singapore
* Thailand

| Commemorations of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore; attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of the accession to the throne of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
21–30 May 2007  |

* Sweden
* Estonia
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* United Kingdom

| Invited by Sweden and the United Kingdom to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Carl von Linné as an honorary member of the Linnean Society; invited by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to conduct a state visit.
3–14 July 2009  | Canada | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Canada"
15–17 July 2009  | United States  | Visited Hawaii to mark the 50th anniversary of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation.[75]

### 2010s

[edit]

The Emperor participating in a ceremonial welcome with President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines, 2016 Dates  | Location(s)  | Details

|
|

16–20 May 2012  | United Kingdom  | Attended a luncheon hosted by Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.[76]
30 November – 6 December 2013  | India | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of India"
8–9 April 2015  | Palau | Commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
26–30 January 2016  | Philippines | "To foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations at the invitation of the Philippines"
28 February – 6 March 2017  | Vietnam | "To foster friendly relations at the invitation of Vietnam"
5–6 March 2017  | Thailand  | Met with King Vajiralongkorn and paid respect to the remains of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[77][78]

## Ancestry

[edit]

Ancestors of Akihito

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8\. Mutsuhito, Emperor Meiji[81]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

| 4\. Yoshihito, Emperor Taishō[79]|

|  |  |
| 9\. Lady Naruko Yanagihara[81]

| 2\. Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa|

|  |  |  |  |
| 10\. Prince Kujō Michitaka of the Fujiwara Clan[82]

| 5\. Lady Sadako Kujō[79]|

|  |  |
| 11\. Lady Ikuko Noma[82]

| 1\. Akihito, 125th Emperor of Japan|
|  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 12\. Asahiko, 1st Imperial Prince Kuni[80]

| 6\. Kuniyoshi, 2nd Imperial Prince Kuni[80]|

|  |  |
| 13\. Lady Makiko Izumi[80]

| 3\. Princess Nagako of Kuni|

|  |  |  |  |
| 14\. Prince Shimazu Tadayoshi[80]

| 7\. Princess Chikako Shimazu[80]|

|  |  |
| 15\. Lady Sumako Yamazaki[80]

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

### Patrilineal descent

[edit]

Patrilineal descent[83]

Akihito's patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son.

Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in royal houses, as it can be traced back through the generations, which means that Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan.

Imperial House of Japan

1. Descent prior to Keitai is unclear to modern historians, but traditionally traced back patrilineally to Emperor Jimmu
2. Emperor Keitai, ca. 450–534
3. Emperor Kinmei, 509–571
4. Emperor Bidatsu, 538–585
5. Prince Oshisaka, ca. 556–???
6. Emperor Jomei, 593–641
7. Emperor Tenji, 626–671
8. Prince Shiki, ???–716
9. Emperor Kōnin, 709–786
10. Emperor Kanmu, 737–806
11. Emperor Saga, 786–842
12. Emperor Ninmyō, 810–850
13. Emperor Kōkō, 830–867
14. Emperor Uda, 867–931
15. Emperor Daigo, 885–930
16. Emperor Murakami, 926–967
17. Emperor En'yū, 959–991
18. Emperor Ichijō, 980–1011
19. Emperor Go-Suzaku, 1009–1045
20. Emperor Go-Sanjō, 1034–1073
21. Emperor Shirakawa, 1053–1129
22. Emperor Horikawa, 1079–1107
23. Emperor Toba, 1103–1156
24. Emperor Go-Shirakawa, 1127–1192
25. Emperor Takakura, 1161–1181
26. Emperor Go-Toba, 1180–1239
27. Emperor Tsuchimikado, 1196–1231
28. Emperor Go-Saga, 1220–1272
29. Emperor Go-Fukakusa, 1243–1304
30. Emperor Fushimi, 1265–1317
31. Emperor Go-Fushimi, 1288–1336
32. Emperor Kōgon, 1313–1364
33. Emperor Sukō, 1334–1398
34. Prince Yoshihito Fushimi, 1351–1416
35. Prince Sadafusa Fushimi, 1372–1456
36. Emperor Go-Hanazono, 1419–1471
37. Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, 1442–1500
38. Emperor Go-Kashiwabara, 1464–1526
39. Emperor Go-Nara, 1495–1557
40. Emperor Ōgimachi, 1517–1593
41. Prince Masahito, 1552–1586
42. Emperor Go-Yōzei, 1572–1617
43. Emperor Go-Mizunoo, 1596–1680
44. Emperor Reigen, 1654–1732
45. Emperor Higashiyama, 1675–1710
46. Prince Naohito Kanin, 1704–1753
47. Prince Sukehito Kanin, 1733–1794
48. Emperor Kōkaku, 1771–1840
49. Emperor Ninkō, 1800–1846
50. Emperor Kōmei, 1831–1867
51. Emperor Meiji, 1852–1912
52. Emperor Taishō, 1879–1926
53. Emperor Shōwa, 1901–1989
54. Emperor Akihito, b. 1933

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ 明仁; Japanese: [akiꜜçi̥to]; English: /ˌækiˈhiːtoʊ/ ⓘ AK-ee-HEE-toh or /ˌɑːk-/ AHK-
2. ^ Akihito's older sister, Atsuko Ikeda, formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori, was born 7 March 1931, however, Japanese law requires Princesses who marry to give up imperial status if not marrying the emperor or another male member of the imperial family.

## See also

[edit]

* The Emperor's Birthday
* Imperial Household Agency
* Imperial House of Japan
* Japanese era name
* List of emperors of Japan

## References

[edit]

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## External links

[edit]

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* Japanese Emperor makes live television appearance after earthquake

* Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita at the Imperial Household Agency website
* Complete transcript (U.S. English and Japanese) and audio mp3 and video of 'Do Not Lose Hope' Address to the Nation at AmericanRhetoric.com

Akihito

Imperial House of Japan

Born: 23 December 1933

Japanese royalty
Preceded by

Shōwa

|  Crown Prince of Japan
1952–1989  | Succeeded by

Naruhito

Regnal titles
Preceded by

Shōwa

|  Emperor of Japan
7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019  | Succeeded by

Naruhito

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Emperors of Japan (list)

Legendary|

| Jōmon|

| 660 BC–291 BC|

* Jimmu
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|

Yayoi|

| 290 BC–269 AD|

* Kōrei
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|

Yamato|

| Kofun|

| 269–539|

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| 539–710|

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|

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| 794–1185|

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|

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| 1573–1603|

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|

Empire of Japan|

| 1868–1947|

* Meiji
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|

Japan|

| 1947–present|

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|

Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD * Imperial Consort and Regent Empress Jingū is not traditionally listed.

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2nd generation|

* Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa
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3rd generation|

* Emperor Emeritus Akihito
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* Prince Hisahito of Akishino

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Grand Master|

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(Marangal na Pinuno)|

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Commander (Komandante)|

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Officer (Pinuno)|

Domingo Lucenario Jr.

Champion for Life (Kampeon Habang Buhay)|

* Dale Abenojar
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*[m.]: married
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*[lit.]: literal translation