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) Tokyo Imperial Palace, Empire of 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) was the 125th emperor of Japan. He ruled from 1989 until he stepped down in 2019. The time he was emperor is called the Heisei era. This name means "achieving peace worldwide."

Akihito was born in 1933. He is 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. This meant he would be the next emperor. The next year, he traveled overseas for the first time. He went to London for the coronation of Elizabeth II. In 1959, he married Michiko Shōda. She was not from a royal family. This was the first time an emperor married a commoner. Their wedding was shown on TV in Japan. About 15 million people watched it. They have three children: Naruhito, Fumihito, and Sayako.

Akihito became emperor after his father died in 1989. His official ceremony was in 1990. He worked to bring the royal family closer to the Japanese people. He visited all 47 regions of Japan. He also visited many remote islands. He is very interested in nature and history. Akihito stepped down in 2019 because of his age and health. He is now called the Emperor Emeritus. His oldest son, Naruhito, became the next emperor. Naruhito's era is called Reiwa. Akihito is the oldest Japanese emperor ever recorded.

Akihito's Name and Title

When Akihito was emperor, people called him "His Majesty the Emperor." They did not use his personal name. His time as emperor was from 1989 to 2019. This period is known as the Heisei era. After he stepped down, he was given a new title. He is now called "Emperor Emeritus." This means "Retired Emperor."

Akihito's Early Life and School

Akihito with his mother, Empress Nagako, in 1934.

Akihito was born on 23 December 1933. He was born at 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 went to the Peers' School from 1940 to 1952. This school was for children of noble families. His father did not want him to become an army officer.

Akihito at his Crown Prince ceremony in 1952.

During World War II, Akihito was moved out of Tokyo. This was because of the American bombings. He learned English and Western manners from a private tutor. He also studied political science at Gakushuin University. However, he did not get a degree.

Akihito was the next in line to the throne from birth. His official ceremony as crown prince was in 1952. In 1953, he went to London. He represented Japan at the Coronation of Elizabeth II. This was his first trip outside Japan.

Marriage and Family Life

A Japanese stamp celebrating the imperial wedding in 1959.

In 1957, Akihito met Michiko Shōda while playing tennis. At first, some people did not like their relationship. Michiko was not from a royal family. She had also been educated in Catholic schools. But Akihito was determined to marry her.

The Imperial Household Council officially approved their engagement in 1958. This was a big change. It was the first time a commoner married into the Imperial Family. This broke a tradition that was over 2,600 years old. Their engagement ceremony was in January 1959. They got married on 10 April 1959.

Akihito and Michiko have three children. Their sons are Naruhito (born 1960) and Fumihito (born 1965). Their daughter is Sayako Kuroda (born 1969). All their children were born at the Imperial Palace hospital.

Akihito and Michiko on their last foreign visit as crown prince and princess in 1987.

As Crown Prince and Princess, Akihito and Michiko visited many countries. Akihito wanted to make the Imperial family closer to the people.

Akihito's Time as Emperor

Emperor Akihito at his enthronement ceremony in November 1990.

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

After becoming emperor, he expressed sorrow to Asian countries. He apologized for their suffering during Japan's occupation. He first did this to China in April 1989.

In 2005, the Emperor and Empress visited Saipan. This island was a major battlefield in World War II. Akihito prayed and placed flowers at memorials. He honored Japanese, American, Korean, and local people who died there. This was the first time a Japanese emperor visited a World War II battlefield abroad. Japanese people praised his visits to war memorials.

Akihito worked hard to connect the Imperial family with the people. He and Michiko visited 18 countries. They also visited all 47 Japanese regions. Akihito never visited Yasukuni Shrine. This shrine honors war criminals. His father also stopped visiting it in 1978.

In 2006, Akihito celebrated the birth of his first grandson, Prince Hisahito. He was the first male heir born to the Imperial family in 41 years. This was important because Japan's law only allows males to become emperor.

After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Akihito made a special TV appearance. This was very rare. He asked his people not to give up hope. He urged them to help each other.

Emperor's Role in Government

Emperor Akihito performing official duties in 2003.

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

Stepping Down as Emperor

Akihito giving his last New Year's speech as Emperor in 2019.

In 2016, news came out that Akihito wanted to step down. He was 82 years old and cited his age. An emperor had not stepped down in Japan since 1817. For him to step down, a special law had to be passed.

On 8 August 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 abdicate.

In 2017, the Japanese Parliament passed a law allowing Akihito to step down. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the date. Akihito would step down on 30 April 2019. His son Naruhito would become emperor on 1 May 2019.

After Stepping Down

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

On 19 March 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.

In December 2021, Akihito turned 88. This made him the longest-living Japanese emperor in history. He enjoys morning and evening walks with his wife. He also likes reading and visiting an imperial biology institute.

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

Health

Emperor Akihito had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003. In 2011, he was in the hospital for pneumonia. In 2012, he had heart bypass surgery. In 2018, he felt dizzy because of low blood flow to his brain. In 2020, he briefly lost consciousness. In 2022, he was diagnosed with heart failure.

Akihito's Children

The Emperor and Empress with their family in November 2013.

Akihito and Michiko have two sons and one daughter.

Akihito's Research on Fish

Akihito is a published researcher on fish. He studies the classification of 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 type of goby fish was named Exyrias akihito in his honor. In 2007, a group of gobies was named Akihito. In 2021, the Imperial Household Agency announced that Akihito had found two new species of goby fish.

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

• Member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan
• Foreign member of the Linnean Society of London (1980)
• Honorary member of the Zoological Society of London (1992)

Overseas Visits

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

1990s Visits

2000s Visits

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

2010s Visits

The Emperor at a welcome ceremony with President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines, 2016.

See also

In Spanish: Akihito para niños