Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is the current Emperor of Japan. He became emperor on 1 May 2019, after his father, Akihito, stepped down. This marked the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Naruhito is the 126th emperor in Japan's long history.

He is the older son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Naruhito was born when his grandfather, Hirohito, was emperor. He became the heir apparent (the person next in line to the throne) in 1989 when his father became emperor. In 1991, he was officially named Crown Prince of Japan.

Naruhito went to Gakushūin schools in Tokyo. He later studied history at Gakushuin University and English at Merton College, Oxford in the United Kingdom. In June 1993, he married Owada Masako, who was a diplomat. They have one daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi.

The Emperor is interested in water policy and water conservation. He was an honorary president for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics held in Tokyo. He also supports the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

What is the Emperor's Name and Title?
Emperor Naruhito's Early Life
Emperor Naruhito's Education
Emperor Naruhito's Personal Life
- Marriage and Family
- Hobbies and Interests
As Crown Prince
As Emperor
Books by Emperor Naruhito
Titles and Honours
- Titles and Styles
- Honours
See also

What is the Emperor's Name and Title?

Before he became emperor, people in Japan often called him Kōtaishi, which means Crown Prince. After he became emperor, he is called "His Majesty the Emperor" (Tennō Heika). This can be shortened to "His Majesty" (Heika).

In writing, he is also formally known as "The Reigning Emperor" (Kinjō Tennō). The time he has been emperor is called the Reiwa era. After his death, he will be known as Emperor Reiwa.

Emperor Naruhito's Early Life

Naruhito in February 1961

Naruhito was born on 23 February 1960, in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. His parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, were the Crown Prince and Crown Princess at the time. His grandfather, Hirohito, was the emperor.

Naruhito had a happy childhood. He enjoyed activities like mountain climbing, horseback riding, and playing the violin. He also played with the children of the royal staff. He was a fan of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team.

One day, Naruhito found parts of an old roadway on the palace grounds. This made him very interested in the history of transportation. This interest later became the topic for his university degrees in history. He once said that roads were like a "precious bridge to the unknown world" for him.

In August 1974, when he was 14, Prince Naruhito went to Melbourne, Australia, for a homestay. His father had a good experience there and encouraged him to go. He stayed with a family and got along well with their sons. He rode horses, played the violin and tennis, and even climbed Uluru.

Emperor Naruhito's Education

Prince Naruhito, aged 9, with his parents and siblings, 1969

When Naruhito was four years old, he started attending the famous Gakushūin school system. Many children from important Japanese families go to this school. In high school, Naruhito joined the geography club.

He earned a degree in history from Gakushuin University in March 1982. In July 1983, he went to the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. He studied there until 1986. He wrote a paper about boats and traffic on the River Thames in the 1700s. He later wrote a book about his time there called The Thames and I – a Memoir of Two Years at Oxford.

While at Oxford, he visited many historic places and met members of other royal families in Europe. He was surprised by how relaxed the British royals were. He even went skiing with Liechtenstein's Prince Hans-Adam II and sailed with Norway's Crown Prince Harald.

After returning to Japan, he continued his studies at Gakushūin University. He earned a master's degree in history in 1988.

Emperor Naruhito's Personal Life

Marriage and Family

The newly married crown prince and crown princess in traditional court dress (1993)

A 500-yen coin made for the Imperial Wedding

Naruhito first met Owada Masako in November 1986. She worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The prince was very interested in her and arranged to meet her several times. Because of this, the news media followed them closely in 1987.

Even though the Imperial Household Agency (the group that manages the imperial family) was not sure about her, Naruhito remained interested. He asked her to marry him three times. Their engagement was announced on 19 January 1993. The wedding took place on 9 June 1993, at the Imperial Shinto Hall in Tokyo. About 800 guests attended, including many leaders and royals from Europe.

By the time they married, Naruhito's father had become emperor. So, Naruhito was already the Crown Prince, a title he received on 23 February 1991.

Their daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi, was born on 1 December 2001. She was born at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo.

Hobbies and Interests

Naruhito playing the viola during a state visit to Mongolia in July 2025.

Emperor Naruhito is very interested in water policy and how to save water. He has given many speeches about water, including at the World Water Forum.

He plays the viola, which is like a violin but a bit bigger and with a deeper sound. He switched from the violin because he felt it was "too prominent." In his free time, he enjoys jogging, hiking, and mountain climbing.

As Crown Prince

Naruhito at his Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince (Rikkōshi-Senmei-no-gi) in 1991

As Crown Prince, Naruhito supported the 1998 Winter Olympics and 1998 Winter Paralympics. He also supports the World Organization of the Scout Movement. In 2006, he attended the Japanese national jamboree for Scouts. He was also an honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society since 1994.

In 2012, the Crown Prince took over his father's duties for two weeks. This was while Emperor Akihito had heart surgery and was recovering.

As Emperor

The Emperor and Empress with their daughter, Princess Aiko, in Nasu, Tochigi, 2019

On 1 December 2017, it was announced that Naruhito's father, Emperor Akihito, would step down on 30 April 2019. Naruhito became the 126th emperor of Japan on 1 May 2019. This began the Reiwa era. The change happened at midnight, and Naruhito formally started his reign with a ceremony later that morning.

In his first speech as emperor, he promised to think deeply about his father's path. He also pledged to fulfill his role as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan."

Under the Japanese constitution, the emperor's role is mostly ceremonial. He performs duties like opening events and meeting important guests. He is not allowed to make political statements.

His official enthronement ceremony took place on 22 October 2019. On 23 July 2021, the new emperor opened the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. His grandfather, Emperor Shōwa, had opened the 1964 Olympics.

Emperor Naruhito (left) poses for a photo while visiting the Borobudur Temple Compounds in Magelang, Indonesia, 22 June 2023.

The Emperor and Empress made their first trip abroad as emperor and empress in September 2022. They went to the United Kingdom for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In June 2023, they visited Indonesia, which was their first state visit.

In February 2024, the emperor turned 64. He sent a message mourning the victims of the 2024 Noto earthquake. He also expressed his wish to visit the affected areas. He and the empress visited Wajima and Suzu, two cities hit by the earthquake, on 22 March 2024. They also visited an evacuation center in Anamizu on 12 April 2024.

In April 2024, the Imperial Household Agency started an Instagram account for the imperial family. This was done to "reach out" to younger generations in Japan.

The Emperor and Empress made a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom in late June 2024. They were invited by King Charles III.

On 7 April 2025, the imperial couple visited Iwo Jima. This was to remember the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was the first visit to the island by a Japanese monarch since 1994.

The Imperial Couple is set to travel to Mongolia for one week as state guests starting on 6 July 2025. This will be the first official visit to Mongolia by a Japanese Emperor.

Books by Emperor Naruhito

1993 – Temuzu to tomoni: Eikoku no ninenkan
2006 – The Thames and I: A Memoir of Two Years at Oxford (with Hugh Cortazzi)

Titles and Honours

Titles and Styles

23 February 1960 – 7 January 1989: His Imperial Highness Prince Hiro
7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019: His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
1 May 2019 – present: His Majesty The Emperor

Honours

National

The Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan (1989)

Foreign

Austria: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria (1999)
Brazil: Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (13 March 2025)
Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (2004)
Hungary: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (2000)
Malaysia: Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (2012)
Philippines: Grand Collar of the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Raja (3 December 2002)
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ (2 December 1993)
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III (8 November 2008)
Tonga:
- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga (1 August 2008)
- Coronation Medal of H.M. King George Tupou V (1 August 2008)
United Arab Emirates: Member First Class of the Order of Zayed (23 January 1995)
United Kingdom: Stranger Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (25 June 2024)