Akihito
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Akihito
(born Dec. 23, 1933, Tokyo, Japan) Emperor of Japan from 1989. Son of Hirohito, his role, like that of his father after 1945, has been largely ceremonial. He is the first Japanese emperor to have married a commoner, in what was hailed at the time as a love match rather than the customary arranged marriage. His children are Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino, and Princess Nori.
For more information on Akihito, visit Britannica.com.
Gale Encyclopedia of Biography:
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Akihito
The 125th emperor of Japan, Akihito (born 1933), succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father, Hirohito, Jan. 7, 1989. He formally took office Nov. 12, 1990.
Crown Prince Akihito was born Dec. 23, 1933, to Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. In keeping with rigid tradition, the boy was separated from his parents (except for once-a-week visits) at the age of three and brought up by court attendants. It was evidently a loveless, lonely existence made worse by World War II, when he was moved out of Tokyo for safety from Allied bombing attacks.
At war's end, the American occupying forces ended the boy's isolation, enabling him to attend high school and college with the sons of the established privileged classes. In addition, a Philadelphia Quaker, Elizabeth Gray Vining, was hired to tutor the royal heir in Western customs and values. It was a happy choice. Vining awakened the young man's interest in many things besides tropical fish and horseback riding.
The postwar constitution of Japan, written by the United States, stripped the emperor of all but ceremonial powers and religious obligations as chief priest of Shinto. Emperor Hirohito never seemed comfortable in the new role of being only the "symbol of the state," and after a long illness he died on Jan. 7, 1989, at the age of 87. Although Akihito became emperor at once, he had to observe a long period of mourning before official enthronement.
During this time, tradition and rituals enabled the new emperor to hold the attention of his nation. He further endeared himself to the people by establishing his goal of serving as a constitutional monarch (not unlike British rulers). And unlike his father, Akihito adopted an informal style in dealing with his subjects, sometimes shaking hands instead of waiting to receive a bow. In general, the emperor won the affection of his people.
Akihito was the first emperor to marry a commoner, Michiko Shoda, in 1959, daughter of a successful industrialist, whom he met on a tennis court. Akihito also became the first emperor to raise his own children. Such innovations made the empress unpopular with her mother-in-law and others at the imperial court. In time, however, Michiko's style and grace prevailed. The couple raised Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino, and daughter Nori.
On Nov. 12, 1990, at the age of 56, Akihito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in an elaborate ritual attended by representatives of 158 countries. Empress Michiko ascended her own smaller throne (the Michoda) set up nearby. The ceremony cost an estimated $80 million, and included 3,400 guests, with many world leaders and dignitaries in attendance. Akihito continued a 2,600-year line of successor emperors, but he stated before the coronation that a monarch still should be accessible. "I find it natural that the imperial family should not exist at a distance from the people," Akihito said.
The Emperor and Empress travel the world representing Japan, and wherever they go, it is a major event. In 1992, they toured China in an effort to improve relations and build commerce. In 1994, the royal couple made a whirlwind 16-day tour of the United States, their first since ascending the throne, and their stay included a large white tie dinner with President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. In a speech in Washington, D.C., Akihito talked about the 50 years of support between the United States and Japan. "It is my earnest hope that peaceful interchange will continue to flourish for many more years to come and that the Pacific will become a true ocean of peace," the Emperor said. The tour included 10 cities, including Los Angeles, where the royal couple visited the Japanese American National Museum.
The royal couple is described as sincere, respectful, and diplomatic. Wherever they travel, it becomes a large media event, yet they appear to handle the notoriety with grace. Both the couple and their children are accomplished musicians; Akihito plays cello, and the Empress plays the harp. They make their home in a Western-style house outside of Tokyo.
Further Reading
For background information on Japan see The Japanese (1977) by Edwin O. Reischauer, U.S. ambassador to Japan, 1961-1966. A later assessment is Richard J. Samuels, "Japan in 1989," in Asian Survey (January 1990). The education of the young Akihito is described by his tutor Elizabeth Gray Vining in Windows for the Crown Prince (1952). An insightful look at Akihito's Japan is Steven R. Weisman's "Japan's Imperial Present," in the New York Times Magazine (August 24, 1990). The preparation for the enthronement ceremony was reported by Elizabeth Bumiller in the Washington Post (November 11, 1990).
Columbia Encyclopedia:
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Akihito
Akihito (äkē'hētō), 1933-, emperor of Japan (1989-). As crown prince, he traveled widely, visiting Great Britain, Canada, the United States, and many countries of Asia and South America. Like his father, Hirohito, Akihito is an accomplished amateur marine biologist. In Apr., 1959, he married Michiko Shoda, a commoner; it was the first time that an heir to the Japanese throne had wed outside the court nobility. Tradition was also abandoned when their three children, Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino, and Princess Nori, were raised at home. When Akihito ascended to the throne, the Heisei ("achieving peace") era was proclaimed. As emperor, Akihito has continued his efforts to humanize and modernize the royal family.
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Akihito
| Akihito 明仁 |
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| Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (background) visiting the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, B.C., Canada on 10 July 2009. | |
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| Reign | 7 January 1989 – present |
| Enthronement | 12 November 1990 |
| Predecessor | Shōwa |
| Heir apparent | Crown Prince Naruhito |
| Prime Ministers | |
| Spouse | Michiko |
| Issue | |
| Crown Prince Naruhito Prince Akishino Sayako Kuroda |
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| Full name | |
| Akihito (明仁) | |
| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Hirohito |
| Mother | Kōjun |
| Born | 23 December 1933 Tokyo, Japan |
| Religion | Shinto |
Akihito (明仁, born 23 December 1933) is the current reigning Emperor (天皇 tennō) of Japan, the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989.
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Name
In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to "His Imperial Majesty" (天皇陛下 Tennō Heika). In writing, the emperor is also referred to formally as "The Reigning Emperor" (今上天皇 kinjō tennō). The Era of Akihito's reign bears the name "Heisei" (平成), and according to custom he will be renamed "Emperor Heisei" (平成天皇 Heisei tennō; see "posthumous name") by order of the cabinet after his death. At the same time, the name of the next era under his successor will also be established.[1]
Biography
Akihito is the eldest son and the fifth child of Emperor Hirohito (the Shōwa Emperor) and Empress Kōjun. Titled Prince Tsugu (継宮 Tsugu-no-miya) as a child, he was raised and educated by his private tutors and then attended the elementary and secondary departments of the Peers' School (Gakushūin) from 1940 to 1952.[2] Unlike his predecessors in the Imperial Family, he did not receive a commission as an Army officer, at the request of his father, Hirohito.
During the American firebombing raids on Tokyo in March 1945, he and his younger brother, HIH Prince Masahito, were evacuated from the city. During the American occupation of Japan following World War II, Prince Akihito was tutored in English and Western manners by Elizabeth Gray Vining. He briefly studied at the Department of Political Science at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, though he never received a degree. Although he was Heir-Apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne from the moment of his birth, his formal Investiture as Crown Prince (立太子礼 Rittaishi-no-rei) was held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on 10 November 1952. In June 1953, Crown Prince Akihito represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London.[2]
Then-Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko made official visits to thirty-seven countries. As an Imperial prince, Akihito compared the role of Japanese royalty to that of a robot; and he expressed the hope that he would like to help in bringing the Imperial family closer to the people of Japan.[3]
After the death of Emperor Hirohito on 7 January 1989, the crown prince received the succession (senso).[4] Emperor Akihito formally acceded to the throne (sokui)[4] on 12 November 1990.[2] In 1998, during a state visit to the United Kingdom, he was invested with The Most Noble Order of the Garter.
On 23 December 2001, during his annual birthday meeting with reporters, the Emperor, in response to a reporter's question about tensions with Korea, remarked that he felt a kinship with Koreans and went on to explain that in the Shoku Nihongi the mother of Emperor Kammu (736–806) is related to Muryeong of Korea, King of Baekje.[5]
Emperor Akihito underwent surgery for prostate cancer in January 2003.[6] Since succeeding to the throne, Emperor Akihito has made an effort to bring the Imperial Family closer to the Japanese people. The Emperor and Empress of Japan have made official visits to eighteen countries, as well as all forty-seven Prefectures of Japan.[2]
In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and the Fukushima I nuclear crisis, the Emperor made a historic televised appearance[7] urging his people not to give up hope and to help each other. The Emperor had never been featured in a prerecorded televised message before, and so this event is historic and showed the scale of this disaster.[8] The Emperor and the Empress also made a visit on Wednesday, 30 March 2011 to a temporary shelter housing refugees of the disaster, in order to inspire hope in the people. This kind of event is also extremely rare, though in line with the Emperor's attempts to bring the Imperial Family closer to the people.[9]
Later in 2011 he was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia.[10] In February 2012, it was announced that the Emperor would be having a coronary examination.[11] He underwent successful heart bypass surgery on 18 February 2012.[12]
He was among several monarchs invited to lunch with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May 2012
Marriage and children
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HIM The Emperor HIH The Prince Hitachi |
| Monarchical styles of Emperor Akihito |
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| Reference style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Imperial Majesty |
| Alternative style | Sir |
On 10 April 1959, he married Michiko Shōda (born 24 October 1934), the eldest daughter of Hidesaburo Shōda, the president and later honorary chairman of Nisshin Flour Milling Company.[2][13] The new Crown Princess was the first commoner to marry into the imperial family. The Emperor and the Empress have three children:
- HIH The Crown Prince Naruhito (b. 23 February 1960, titled Hiro-no-miya or Prince Hiro),
- HIH The Prince Akishino (Fumihito, b. 30 November 1965, titled Aya-no-miya or Prince Aya) and
- formerly HIH The Princess Nori (Sayako, b. 18 April 1969, titled Nori-no-miya or Princess Nori).[2]
Official functions
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This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2011) |
Despite being strictly constrained by his constitutional position, he also issued several wide-ranging statements of remorse to Asian countries, for their suffering under Japanese occupation, beginning with an expression of remorse to China made in April 1989, three months after the death of his father, Emperor Shōwa.
In June 2005, the Emperor visited the US territory of Saipan, the site of a battle in World War II from 15 June to 9 July 1944 (Battle of Saipan). Accompanied by Empress Michiko, he offered prayers and flowers at several memorials, honoring not only the Japanese who died, but also American soldiers, Korean laborers, and local islanders. It was the first trip by a Japanese monarch to a World War II battlefield abroad. The Saipan journey was received with high praise by the Japanese people, as were the Emperor's visits to war memorials in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Okinawa in 1995.
On 6 September 2006, the Emperor celebrated the birth of his first grandson, Prince Hisahito, the third child of the Emperor's younger son. Prince Hisahito is the first male heir born to the Japanese imperial family in 41 years (since his father Prince Akishino) and could avert a possible succession crisis as the Emperor's elder son, the Crown Prince, has only one daughter, Princess Aiko. Under Japan's current male-only succession law, Princess Aiko is not eligible for the throne. The birth of Prince Hisahito could mean that proposed changes to the law to allow Aiko to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne will not go through after being temporarily shelved following the announcement of Princess Kiko's third pregnancy in February 2006.
Ichthyological research
In extension of his father's interest in marine biology, the Emperor is a published ichthyological researcher, and has specialized studies within the taxonomy of the family Gobiidae.[14] He has written papers for scholarly journals, namely Gene and the Japanese Journal of Ichthyology.[15]
He has also written papers about the history of science during the Edo and Meiji eras, which were published in Science[16] and Nature.[17] In 2005, a newly described goby was named Exyrias akihito in his honour.
- Member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan
- Foreign member of the Linnean Society of London (1980)
- Honorary member of the Linnean Society of London (1986)
- Research associate of the Australian Museum
- Honorary member of the Zoological Society of London (1992)
- Honorary member of the Research Institute for Natural Science of Argentina (1997)
- Honorary degree of the Uppsala University (2007)
Awards
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This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2011) |
National
- Collar and Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
- Grand Cordon of The Order of the Rising Sun with the Paulownia Blossoms (renamed Grand Cordon of The Order of the Paulownia Flowers from 2003)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure
- Order of Culture
- The Golden Medal of Merit of the Japanese Red Cross
- The Golden Medal of Honorary Member of the Japanese Red Cross
International
Other Awards
- The Royal Society King Charles II Medal
Titles from birth
- 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 – present: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan
Ancestors
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Patrilineal descent
| Ancestors of Akihito |
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Akihito's patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son. Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in royal houses, as it can be traced back through the generations, which means that Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan.
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See also
- The Emperor's Birthday
- Imperial Household Agency
- Imperial Household of Japan
- Japanese era name
- List of Emperors of Japan
- List of longest reigning current monarchs
References
- ^ "National Day of Japan to be celebrated". Embassy of Japan in Pakistan. 2007-12-07. http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp/PRESS/Press%202007/JPNEMPAK%2007-041,%20NATIONAL%20DAY%20OF%20JAPAN%20TO%20BE%20CELEBRATED.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ a b c d e f "Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress". Imperial Household Agency. 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-12-01. http://web.archive.org/web/20071201092521/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e03/ed03-01.html. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Those Apprentice Kings and Queens Who May – One Day – Ascend a Throne," New York Times. 14 November 1971.
- ^ a b Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, p. 44.
- ^ "Press Conference on the Occasion of His Majesty's Birthday | 2001-12-18". Imperial Household Agency. Archived from the original on 2008-05-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20080525113304/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/epress/epress-01-12.html. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ^ "Akihito has successful cancer operation". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2003-01-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2671271.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Six days later, Japanese still confronting magnitude of quake crisis". CNN. 29 April 2011. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/japan.disaster/index.html?hpt=T1#.
- ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/us-japan-quake-emperor-idUSTRE72F23520110316 Archived 16 March 2011 at WebCite
- ^ http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2011-03-31/japanese-emperor-visits-evacuation-center.html
- ^ "Japan's Emperor Akihito leaves Tokyo hospital". BBC News. 24 November 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15868000. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ Mainichi Daily News. 1 February 2012. http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120201p2g00m0dm109000c.html.
- ^ "Report: Japan's emperor undergoes successful cardiac bypass - CNN.com". CNN. 18 February 2012. http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/18/world/asia/japan-emperor-surgery/index.html?hpt=hp_t3.
- ^ Fukada, Takahiro, "Emperor — poise under public spotlight", Japan Times, 24 November 2009, p. 3.
- ^ Hamilton, Alan. "Palace small talk problem solved: royal guest is a goby fish fanatic," The Times (London). 30 May 2007
- ^ PubMed Search Results
- ^ Akihito (Oct 1992). "Early cultivators of science in Japan". Science 258 (5082): 578–80. DOI:10.1126/science.1411568. PMID 1411568. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=1411568.
- ^ His Majesty The Emperor of Japan (Jul 2007). "Linnaeus and taxonomy in Japan". Nature 448 (7150): 139–140. DOI:10.1038/448139a. PMID 17632886.
- ^ "Akihito". Bearers of decorations. president.ee. http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=751. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ Presidency, table of recipients of the Order of the Three Stars since 2004.
- ^ Decree 1K-974
- ^ The Royal Forums, State visit of japan in Norway, May 2005, Photo
- ^ OPS.gov.ph
- ^ "Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas" (in pt). presidencia.pt. http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "Noblesse et Royautés" (French), State visit of Spain in Japan, November 2008
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Emperor Akihito |
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Wikinews has related news: Japanese emperor makes live television appearance after earthquake |
- The Japanese Imperial Household Agency Homepage, press conferences, extensive biography, official duties and public activities.
- Complete transcript and audio mp3 and video of 'Do Not Lose Hope' Address to the Nation at AmericanRhetoric.com
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Akihito
Born: 23 December 1933 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Shōwa |
Emperor of Japan 1989–present |
Incumbent Heir apparent: Crown Prince Naruhito |
| Japanese royalty | ||
| Preceded by Hirohito later became Emperor Shōwa |
Crown Prince of Japan 10 November 1952 – 7 January 1989 |
Succeeded by Naruhito |
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