Akihito

Akihito (明仁, born December 23, 1933) was the 125th Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1989 until his abdication in 2019. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne upon the death of his father, Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito).

Akihito is the eldest son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun (Nagako). During World War II, he was evacuated from Tokyo as part of efforts to protect the Imperial Family. He was tutored privately and later attended the Peers' School (Gakushūin). In 1952, he formally came of age and was invested as Crown Prince.

In 1959, Akihito married Michiko Shōda, a commoner and the daughter of a businessman. Their marriage was considered a significant step towards modernizing the Imperial Household. They have three children: Naruhito (the current Emperor), Prince Fumihito (the Crown Prince), and Princess Sayako (formerly Princess Nori).

Akihito's reign, known as the Heisei era (平成), focused on promoting peace, reconciliation, and diplomacy. He and Empress Michiko made numerous visits to countries affected by World War II, offering apologies and expressions of sorrow for Japan's past actions. Domestically, Akihito made efforts to connect with the Japanese people, traveling to disaster areas and offering comfort to those affected by natural disasters.

Akihito is also a marine biologist and has published several papers on the goby fish.

In 2016, Akihito expressed his desire to abdicate due to his advanced age and declining health. The Japanese Diet subsequently passed a law allowing him to do so, and he abdicated on April 30, 2019. His son, Naruhito, acceded to the throne on May 1, 2019, marking the beginning of the Reiwa era. Akihito is now known as Emperor Emeritus.