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Akihito
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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: 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: Akihito |
For Prince Komatsu, see Prince Komatsu Akihito.
| Akihito | |
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| Reign | 7 January 1989 – present |
| Enthronement | 12 November 1990 |
| Predecessor | Emperor Shōwa |
| Heir apparent | Prince Naruhito |
| Prime Ministers | |
| Spouse | Michiko Shoda |
| Issue | |
| Naruhito, Prince Hiro Fumihito, Prince Aya Sayako Kuroda |
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| House | Yamato Dynasty |
| Father | Hirohito |
| Mother | Empress Kojun |
| Born | 23 December 1933 Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation | Ichthyological researcher |
| Religion | Shinto |
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This article contains Japanese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of kanji and kana. |
Akihito (明仁, born 23 December 1933) is the current Emperor (天皇 tennō) of Japan, and the 125th Emperor according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989, and is the 20th most senior monarch or lifelong leader. He is the world's only reigning monarch whose title is customarily translated into English as "Emperor".
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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" (陛下 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; see "posthumous name") after his death by order of the cabinet, in which 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 Shōwa (Hirohito) and Nagako (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 (Gakushuin) from 1940 to 1952.[2] Unlike his precedents in the Imperial Family, he did not receive a commission as an Army officer, at the request from 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 Kokyo Imperial Palace on 10 November 1952. In June 1953, Crown Prince Akihito represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[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 Shōwa 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. To this date, Akihito is the only stranger Knight of the Garter who is of non-European descent.[5]
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 Korean peninsula and went on to explain that in the Shoku Nihongi the mother of Emperor Kammu (736–806) was one of 10th descendants of the King of Baekje, Muryeong.[6] The Emperor also noted that Koreans who migrated to Japan in ancient times introduced some aspects of culture and technology to the country, and that the regrettable fact that Japan’s exchanges with Korea have not all been so friendly should never be forgotten. These remarks were reported and became headlines in the South Korean Media[7].
Emperor Akihito underwent surgery for prostate cancer in January, 2003.[8] 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]
Marriage and children
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On 10 April 1959, he married Miss Michiko Shōda (born 24 October 1934), the eldest daughter of Mr. Hidesaburo Shōda, the president and later honorary chairman of Nisshin Flour Milling Company.[2] 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
- Sayako Kuroda, formerly HIH The Princess Sayako (titled Nori-no-miya or Princess Nori, b. 18 April 1969).[2]
Official functions
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 U.S. territory of Saipan, the site of one of the most brutal World War II battles 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.[9] He has written papers for publication in Japanese and English scholarly journals, namely Gene and the Japanese Journal of Ichthyology[10].
He has also written papers about Scientific History in Japan during the Edo and Meiji Eras, which were published in Science[11] and Nature[12]. In 2005 a newly described goby was named Exyrias akihito in his honour.
Awards
Japan Collar and Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum- Japan 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)
- Japan Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure
- Japan Order of Culture
- Japan The Golden Medal of Merit of Japanese Red Cross
- Japan The Golden Medal of Hononary Member of Japanese Red Cross
Foreign Awards
| Country | Awards |
|---|---|
 Afghanistan |
Order of the Supreme Sun |
 Austria |
Grand Decoration of Honour Grand Star |
 Bahrain |
Order of al-Khalifa Collar |
 Belgium |
Order of Leopold (Belgium) Grand Cross |
 Botswana |
Presidential Order |
 Brazil |
Order of the Southern Cross Grand Collar |
 Cameroon |
Order of Valour Grand Cordon |
 Chile |
Order of Merit Grand Collar |
 Colombia |
Order of the Cross of Boyaca Grand Collar |
 Côte d'Ivoire |
Order of the Ivory Coast Grand Cordon |
 Czech Republic |
Order of the White Lion 1st Class (Civil Division) with Collar Chain |
 Denmark |
Order of the Elephant Knight Grand Cross |
 Egypt |
Order of the Nile Grand Collar |
 Estonia |
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana The Collar of the Cross |
 Ethiopia |
Order of Solomon Grand Collar |
 Finland |
Order of the White Rose Grand Cross with Collar |
 France |
Légion d'honneur Grand Cross |
 Germany |
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grand Cross, Special Class |
 Greece |
Order of the Redeemer Grand Cross |
 Hungary |
Order of Merit of Hungary Grand Cross |
 Iceland |
Order of the Falcon Grand Cross with Collar |
 Indonesia |
Star of Adipurna 1st Class |
 Iran |
Order of Pahlavi Grand Collar |
 Italy |
Order of Merit of the Republic Grand Cross with Cordon |
 Jordan |
Order of Hussein ibn' Ali Collar |
 Kazakhstan |
Order of the Golden Eagle |
 Kenya |
Order of the Golden Heart |
 Kuwait |
Order of Mubarak the Great Collar |
 Latvia |
Order of the Three Stars Grand Cross with Collar |
 Liberia |
Order of the Star of Africa Knight Grand Band Order of the Pioneers of the Republic Knight Grand Band |
 Lithuania |
Order of Vytautas the Great the Great Grand Cross with Collar[13] |
 Luxembourg |
Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau Knight |
 Malawi |
Order of the Lion Grand Commander |
 Mali |
National Order Grand Cordon |
 Mexico |
Order of the Aztec Eagle Grand Collar |
 Morocco |
Order of Muhammad Grand Collar |
 Nepal |
Order of Ojaswi Rajanya |
 Netherlands |
Order of the Netherlands Lion Knight Grand Cross |
 Nigeria |
Order of the Federal Republic Grand Cordon |
 Norway |
Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav Grand Cross with Collar |
 Oman |
Order of Oman Superior Class |
 Pakistan |
Order of Pakistan 1st Class |
 Panama |
Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero Gold Collar |
 Peru |
Order of the Sun Grand Cross in Brilliants |
 Philippines |
Philippine Legion of Honor Chief Commander[14] |
 Poland |
Order of the White Eagle |
 Portugal |
Riband of the Three Orders |
 Qatar |
Collar of Independence |
 Saudi Arabia |
Badr Chain |
 Senegal |
Order of the Lion Grand Cordon |
 South Africa |
Order of Good Hope Grand Cross in Gold |
 Spain |
Order of Carlos III Grand Cross with Collar Order of the Golden Fleece Knight |
 Sweden |
Royal Order of the Seraphim Knight |
 Thailand |
The Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri |
 The Gambia |
Order of the Republic of Gambia Grand Commander |
 United Arab Emirates |
Collar of the Federation |
 United Kingdom |
Stranger 984th Knight of Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |
 Yugoslavia |
Order of the Yugoslavian Grand Star |
 Zaire |
Order of the Leopard Grand Cordon |
Other Awards
- The Royal Society King Charles II Medal
Ancestors
| Akihito | Father: Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa |
Paternal Grandfather: Yoshihito, Emperor Taishō |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Mutsuhito, Emperor Meiji |
| Paternal Great-grandmother: Adopted: Haruko, Empress Shōken; Biological: Lady Yanagihara Naruko , concubine |
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| Paternal Grandmother: Princess Sadako of the Fujiwara Clan, Empress Teimei |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Prince Kujō Michitaka of the Fujiwara Clan |
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| Paternal Great-grandmother: Lady Noma Ikuko, concubine |
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| Mother: Nagako, Empress Kōjun |
Maternal Grandfather: Imperial Prince Kuniyoshi Kuni |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Prince Kuni Asahiko |
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| Maternal Great-grandmother: Lady Isume Makiko, concubine |
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| Maternal Grandmother: Princess Shimazu Chikako of Satsuma |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Prince Shimazu Tadayoshi, 29th and last Daimyo of Satsuma, Osumi and Hyuga |
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| Maternal Great-grandmother: Lady Hiro Sumako, concubine |
See also
- List of Japanese Emperors
- List of longest reigning current monarchs
- Imperial Household of Japan
- Imperial Household Agency
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. 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.
- ^ "PoWs' anger at Akihito honour". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1998-04-10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/76386.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Press Conference on the Occasion of His Majesty's Birthday". Imperial Household Agency. http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/epress/epress-01-12.html. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ^ 일 환무왕 생모‘백제 화씨부인’묘소 탐방기;초라한 왕후릉… 교토 야산에 홀로 잠들어 조선일보 2002.02.05 발행 / 19
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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:. 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:. PMID 17632886.
- ^ Decree 1K-974
- ^ http://www.ops.gov.ph/japan2002/news2.htm
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Emperor Akihito |
- The Japanese Imperial Household Agency Homepage, press conferences, extensive biography, official duties and public activities.
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Akihito
Born: 23 December 1933 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Shōwa Hirohito |
Emperor of Japan 1989 – present |
Incumbent Heir: Crown Prince Naruhito |
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