Akihito
Emperor Akihito (明仁天皇, Akihito-tennō, born 23 December 1933) (known simply as Akihito) is the former emperor of Japan. He reigned from 1989 to 2019. He was the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession.[1] He is head of the Imperial House of Japan.
| Akihito 明仁 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Akihito in 2009 | |||||
| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019 | ||||
| Enthronement | 12 November 1990 | ||||
| Predecessor | 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 | ||||
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).[2]
Abdication
changeThe Japanese government announced in December 2017 that Akihito would abdicate on 30 April 2019.[3] He then did so in a brief ceremony on that date.[4]
What the emperor does
changeThe emperor has many duties and responsibilities. For example, he regularly
- takes part in affairs of according to the Constitution of Japan.[5]
- attends various events and ceremonies held at the Imperial Palace.[6]
- attends ceremonies in Tokyo.[7]
- makes appearances at a variety of ceremonies in various parts in Japan[8]
- visits welfare facilities.[9]
- visits regions where disasters hit[10]
- visits other countries[11]
- helps transmit the traditional culture of Japan[12]
As a personal interest, Akihito studies fish.[13]
Television broadcast
changeAkihito 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.[14]
Health
changeIn July 2022, Akihito was diagnosed with heart failure.[15]
Titles and styles
change- 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
change- 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
changeReferences
change
- ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric et al. (2002). "Traditional order of Tennō" in Japan encyclopedia, pp. 962-963.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Akihito" at p. 19.
- ↑ Enjoji, Kaori (December 1, 2017). "Japan Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019". CNN. Tokyo. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ↑ McCurry, Justin (30 April 2019). "Japan's emperor Akihito abdicates with message of love". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ↑ Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), "Affairs of State"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ()
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Ceremonies in Imperial Palace"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Progress in Tokyo"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Progress around Japan"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Visits to Welfare facilities"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Visits to disaster-affected areas"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Overseas visits"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Transmitting traditional cultures to posterity"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Kunaicho, "Studies"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
- ↑ Chancellor, Alexander. "The Japanese emperor's lesson for the British monarchy," The Guardian (UK). 17 March 2011; retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ↑ "Emperor Emeritus Akihito recovering after heart failure diagnosis". www.japantimes.co.jp. 26 July 2022. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
Other websites
change
Media related to Emperor Akihito at Wikimedia Commons
- Imperial Household Agency (English); (Japanese)
- "Do Not Lose Hope" Address to the Nation, 2011 transcript and audio mp3 and video
- KidsWebJapan, "Emperor's Role"
| Preceded by Emperor Shōwa |
Emperor of Japan Akihito 1989-2019 |
Succeeded by Naruhito |