Akihito

Akihito was the 125th emperor of Japan, serving from January 7, 1989, until his abdication on April 30, 2019. His reign was known as the Heisei era. The name Heisei expresses the goal of achieving peace worldwide. As emperor, his role was defined by the Constitution of Japan. This meant his duties were entirely representative and ceremonial. He held no political power and could not make political statements. He acted as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people.

Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. He was the fifth child and the first son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun. His childhood was shaped by the Second World War. In March 1945, during American firebombing raids in Tokyo, he and his brother were evacuated to Nikkō. During the Allied occupation of Japan, he was tutored in English and Western manners by Elizabeth Gray Vining. In 1952, he underwent his formal investiture as crown prince. This ceremony officially named him the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

His early adulthood involved significant international and social milestones. In 1953, he traveled to London to represent Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He completed his university education as a special student in 1956. In April 1959, he married Michiko Shōda. This was a historic event because Michiko was a commoner. Her marriage broke a tradition that had lasted for more than 2,600 years. The wedding was the first imperial wedding to be televised in Japan. It drew a massive audience of approximately 15 million viewers.

Akihito’s reign began following the death of his father in January 1989. He was 55 years old when he ascended the throne. During his time as emperor, he worked to bridge the gap between the imperial family and the public. He and Empress Michiko made official visits to all forty-seven prefectures of Japan. They also traveled to many remote islands. The couple made official visits to eighteen different countries. Akihito often compared the role of royalty to that of a robot to describe his ceremonial duties.

One of Akihito's most notable actions involved addressing Japan's history. He issued statements of remorse to Asian countries regarding their suffering under Japanese occupation. In 1992, he made the first visit by a Japanese emperor to China. This trip helped improve the relationship between the two nations. In 2005, he visited Saipan, a site of a World War II battle. He offered prayers at memorials for Japanese, American, and Korean people. He also expressed a sense of kinship with Koreans, noting historical links in the Shoku Nihongi.

Family succession also played a major role in his reign. In 2006, the birth of his grandson, Prince Hisahito, was a significant event. Hisahito was the first male heir born to the imperial family in 41 years. This birth helped prevent a succession crisis because the current law only allows males to ascend the throne. Akihito's elder son, Naruhito, is the current emperor. During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Akihito encouraged the people to remain hopeful and help one another.

In 2016, Akihito signaled his intention to step down. He cited his advanced age and declining health in a televised address. This was a rare move, as no emperor had abdicated since 1817. The Japanese government had to pass the Emperor Abdication Law to make this possible. He officially retired on April 30, 2019. He then assumed the title of Emperor Emeritus. His son, Naruhito, succeeded him as the 126th emperor. Akihito remains the oldest living member of the Imperial House of Japan.