Akihito

Akihito
明仁
Formal portrait, 1990
Emperor of Japan
Reign7 January 1989 – 30 April 2019
Coronation12 November 1990
PredecessorShōwa
SuccessorNaruhito
Regent
See list
Born (1933-12-23) 23 December 1933 (age 92)
Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan
SpouseMichiko Shōda
IssueNaruhito, Emperor of Japan
Fumihito, Prince Akishino
Sayako, Princess Nori
Names
Akihito (明仁)
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherEmperor Shōwa
MotherEmpress Kōjun
ReligionShinto

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. He is head of the Imperial House of Japan.

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).

Abdication

The Japanese government announced in December 2017 that Akihito would abdicate on 30 April 2019. He then did so in a brief ceremony on that date.

What the emperor does

The emperor has many duties and responsibilities. For example, he regularly

As a personal interest, Akihito studies fish.

Television broadcast

Akihito 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.

Health

In July 2022, Akihito was diagnosed with heart failure. In 2025, Akihito was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and supraventricular tachycardia.

Titles and styles

Honors

References

The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family.
  1. ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric et al. (2002). "Traditional order of Tennō" in Japan encyclopedia, pp. 962-963.
  2. ↑ Nussbaum, "Akihito" at p. 19.
  3. ↑ Enjoji, Kaori (December 1, 2017). "Japan Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019". CNN. Tokyo. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  4. ↑ McCurry, Justin (30 April 2019). "Japan's emperor Akihito abdicates with message of love". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), "Affairs of State"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ()
  6. ↑ Kunaicho, "Ceremonies in Imperial Palace"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  7. ↑ Kunaicho, "Progress in Tokyo"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  8. ↑ Kunaicho, "Progress around Japan"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  9. ↑ Kunaicho, "Visits to Welfare facilities"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  10. ↑ Kunaicho, "Visits to disaster-affected areas"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  11. ↑ Kunaicho, "Overseas visits"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  12. ↑ Kunaicho, "Transmitting traditional cultures to posterity"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  13. ↑ Kunaicho, "Studies"; retrieved 2011-10-18 ().
  14. ↑ Chancellor, Alexander. "The Japanese emperor's lesson for the British monarchy," The Guardian (UK). 17 March 2011; retrieved 2011-10-17.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "Former emperor discharged from hospital after heart checkup". Kyodo News. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "Japan's former emperor diagnosed with another heart condition". Kyodo News. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

Other websites

Media related to Emperor Akihito at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Emperor Shōwa		 Emperor of Japan
Akihito
1989-2019		 Succeeded by
Naruhito