Akihito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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

Akihito (born 23 December 1933) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. He was the 125th Emperor of Japan. He reigned from January 7, 1989, until he stepped down on April 30, 2019. His time as emperor was called the Heisei era, which means "achieving peace worldwide."

Akihito was the first son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. During World War II, he moved out of Tokyo for safety. In 1952, he became the crown prince. He started doing official duties for Japan. The next year, he traveled overseas for the first time. He represented Japan at the coronation of Elizabeth II in London. He finished his university studies in 1956.

In April 1959, he married Michiko Shōda. She was not from a royal family. This was the first imperial wedding shown on TV in Japan. About 15 million people watched it. Akihito and Michiko have three children: Naruhito, Fumihito, and Sayako.

Akihito became emperor after his father died in January 1989. His official ceremony was in 1990. He worked to bring the royal family closer to the Japanese people. He visited all 47 prefectures of Japan and many remote islands. He loves nature, conservation, and history. Akihito stepped down in 2019 because of his age and health. He then became known as the "Emperor Emeritus." His oldest son, Naruhito, became the next emperor. Akihito is the longest-living Japanese emperor in recorded history.

Akihito's Name and Title

During his time as emperor, Akihito was always called "His Majesty the Emperor." People did not use his personal name. His reign from 1989 to 2019 was known as the Heisei era. After he stepped down, he received the title of "Emperor Emeritus." This means "Retired Emperor."

Akihito's Early Life and School

One-year-old Akihito with his mother Empress Nagako, 1934

Prince Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. He was the fifth child and first son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. As a child, he was called Prince Tsugu. He had private teachers before going to the Peers' School from 1940 to 1952. Unlike past emperors, he did not become an army officer.

Akihito at the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony, 1952

During World War II, Akihito and his younger brother, Prince Masahito, were moved out of Tokyo for safety. An American teacher, Elizabeth Gray Vining, taught Akihito English and Western customs. He later studied political science at Gakushuin University. He did not get a degree.

Akihito was the next in line to the throne from birth. His official ceremony to become crown prince was on November 10, 1952. In June 1953, he went to London. He represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This was his first trip outside Japan. He finished his university studies in 1956.

Akihito's Marriage and Family

A Japanese stamp celebrating the imperial wedding, 1959

In August 1957, Akihito met Michiko Shōda on a tennis court. At first, some people did not like their relationship. Michiko was not from a royal family. She had also been educated in a Catholic school.

The Imperial Household Council officially approved their engagement on November 27, 1958. Some traditional groups were against the marriage. This was because Michiko was from a Catholic family. Even though she was not baptized, she went to Catholic schools. It was the first time a common person married into the Imperial Family. This broke a tradition of over 2,600 years. Their engagement ceremony was on January 14, 1959. They married on April 10, 1959.

Akihito and Michiko have three children:

• Naruhito, born February 23, 1960.
• Fumihito, born November 30, 1965.
• Sayako, born April 18, 1969. After marrying Yoshiki Kuroda in 2005, she left the Imperial Family. She took her husband's last name.

Akihito and Michiko arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in 1987. This was their last foreign visit as crown prince and princess.

As Crown Prince, Akihito wanted to bring the Imperial family closer to the people. He and Michiko visited 37 countries.

Akihito's Time as Emperor

Emperor Akihito wearing the sokutai at his enthronement ceremony, 1990

Akihito became the 125th Emperor of Japan on January 7, 1989. He was 55 years old. His official ceremony was on November 12, 1990. In 1998, he visited the United Kingdom. He received the Order of the Garter.

After becoming emperor, he expressed sorrow to Asian countries. He apologized for their suffering during Japan's occupation. He started with an apology to China in April 1989.

In June 2005, the Emperor and Empress visited Saipan. This island was a battlefield in 1944 during World War II. Akihito prayed and placed flowers at memorials. He honored Japanese, American, Korean, and local people who died. This was the first time a Japanese emperor visited a World War II battlefield outside Japan. The Japanese people praised this trip. They also praised his visits to war memorials in Japan.

Akihito worked to bring the Imperial family closer to the Japanese people. He and Michiko visited 18 countries. They also visited all 47 Japanese prefectures. Akihito never visited Yasukuni Shrine. This was because it honors war criminals.

On September 6, 2006, his first grandson, Prince Hisahito, was born. This was important because he was the first male heir born to the Imperial family in 41 years. This helped solve a problem about who would be the next emperor.

After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the Emperor spoke on TV. This was a rare event. He told his people not to lose hope and to help each other.

Akihito's Role as Emperor

Emperor Akihito performs official duties, 2003

Under the Constitution of Japan, Akihito's role was mostly symbolic. He did not have real power in the government. He could not make political statements. He only acted in state matters as the Constitution allowed. Even then, he had to follow the advice of the Cabinet. For example, he formally appointed the Prime Minister. But he had to appoint the person chosen by the Diet (Japan's parliament).

Akihito Steps Down

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

On July 13, 2016, news reported that the 82-year-old Emperor wanted to abdicate (step down). He wanted his oldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, to take over. An emperor had not stepped down since 1817. Stepping down required a change to the Imperial Household Law.

On August 8, 2016, the Emperor gave a rare TV speech. He talked about his old age and declining health. People understood this to mean he wanted to step down.

On May 19, 2017, a bill was created to allow Akihito to abdicate. The National Diet passed it on June 8, 2017. This law allowed the government to prepare for Naruhito to become emperor. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Akihito would step down on April 30, 2019. Naruhito became the 126th Emperor on May 1, 2019.

Akihito After Stepping Down

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita watching a rugby match in November 2019.

On March 19, 2020, Akihito and his wife moved out of the Imperial Palace. This was their first public appearance since he stepped down. They moved into the Takanawa Residence on March 31.

In December 2021, Akihito turned 88. This made him the longest-living Japanese emperor in history. His daily routine includes walks with his wife. He also reads and visits an imperial biology institute.

In August 2023, Akihito and Michiko visited the tennis court where they first met.

After Yuriko, Princess Mikasa passed away in November 2024, Akihito became the oldest living member of the Japanese imperial family.

Akihito's Health

Emperor Akihito had surgery for prostate cancer in January 2003. In 2011, he was in the hospital for pneumonia. In February 2012, he had heart bypass surgery. In July 2018, he felt sick due to not enough blood flow to his brain. In January 2020, he briefly lost consciousness. In July 2022, he was diagnosed with heart failure. In 2025, he was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and supraventricular tachycardia.

Akihito's Children

The Emperor and Empress with their family, November 2013

Akihito and Michiko have two sons and one daughter.

Akihito's Research on Fish

Akihito is a published researcher who studies fish. He focuses on a fish family called Gobiidae. He has written articles for science journals. He also wrote about the history of science in Japan. In 2005, a new goby fish was named Exyrias akihito in his honor. In 2007, a group of gobies was named Akihito. In 2021, he discovered two new species of goby fish.

In 1965, Akihito sent 50 Nile tilapia fish to the King of Thailand. This was to help with food shortages. These fish have since become a major food source in Thailand.

• Member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan
• 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 degree from Uppsala University (2007)

Akihito's Travels Abroad

The tables below show official visits made by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Travels in the 1990s

Travels in the 2000s

The Emperor and Empress bowing their heads at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, 2009.

Travels in the 2010s

The Emperor participating in a ceremonial welcome with President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines, 2016.

See also

In Spanish: Akihito para niños

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