Quick facts for kids Akihito明仁 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
|||||
Emperor of Japan | |||||
Reign | 7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019 | ||||
Enthronement | 12 November 1990 | ||||
Predecessor | Emperor Shōwa | ||||
Successor | Naruhito | ||||
Prime Ministers | |||||
Born | 23 December 1933 Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan |
||||
Spouse | Michiko Shōda | ||||
Issue | Naruhito, Emperor of Japan Fumihito, Prince Akishino Sayako, Princess Nori |
||||
|
|||||
House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
Father | Emperor Shōwa | ||||
Mother | Empress Kōjun | ||||
Religion | Shinto |
Emperor Akihito (明仁天皇 Akihito-tennō, born 23 December 1933) (known simply as Akihito) is the former emperor of Japan from 1989 to 2019, He was the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He is head of the Imperial House of Japan.
Akihito became emperor after the death of his father in 1989, who was Emperor Shōwa. The current emperor's official reign name is Heisei (establishing peace).
The Japanese government announced in December 2017 that Akihito would abdicate on 30 April 2019. He then did so in a brief ceremony on that date.
Contents
What the emperor does
The emperor has many duties and responsibilities. For example, he regularly
- takes part in affairs of according to the Constitution of Japan.
- attends various events and ceremonies held at the Imperial Palace.
- attends ceremonies in Tokyo.
- makes appearances at a variety of ceremonies in various parts in Japan
- visits welfare facilities.
- visits regions where disasters hit
- visits other countries
- helps transmit the traditional culture of Japan
As a personal interest, Akihito studies fish.
Television broadcast
Akihito directly addressed his subjects in a television broadcast after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This was the first time any emperor used television in this way.
Titles and styles
- 23 December 1933 – 10 November 1952: His Imperial Highness The Prince Tsugu
- 10 November 1952 – 7 January 1989: His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan
- 7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019: His Majesty The Emperor of Japan
- 1 May 2019 – present: His Majesty The Emperor Emeritus
Honors
- Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan
- Order of the Rising Sun, Japan
- Order of the Sacred Treasure, Japan
- Order of Culture, Japan
- Order of the Garter, UK
Related pages
Images for kids
-
The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family.
