25 Facts About Emperor Akihito

Emperor Akihito presided over the Heisei era, Heisei being an expression of achieving peace worldwide.

Emperor Akihito has made efforts to bring the imperial family closer to the Japanese people, and has made official visits to all forty-seven prefectures of Japan and to many of the remote islands of Japan.

Emperor Akihito has a keen interest in natural life and conservation, as well as Japanese and world history.

At age 88, Akihito is the longest-lived verifiable Japanese emperor in recorded history.

Emperor Akihito was tutored in the English language and Western manners by Elizabeth Gray Vining during the Allied occupation of Japan, and later briefly studied at the department of political science at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, though he never received a degree.

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Emperor Akihito was the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne from birth.

In June 1953, Emperor Akihito represented Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London in his first journey abroad.

Emperor Akihito later completed his university education as a special student in 1956.

Later King Baudouin negotiated the marriage of the couple with the Emperor Akihito directly stating that if the Crown Prince is happy with Michiko, he would be a better emperor later on.

Emperor Akihito expressed the desire to help bring the Imperial family closer to the people of Japan.

Under the Constitution of Japan, Emperor Akihito's role was entirely representative and ceremonial in nature, without even a nominal role in government; indeed, he was not allowed to make political statements.

Emperor Akihito was limited to acting in matters of state as delineated in the Constitution.

Emperor Akihito has never visited Yasukuni Shrine, continuing his predecessor's boycott from 1975, due to its enshrinement of war criminals.

On 6 September 2006, the Emperor Akihito celebrated the birth of his first grandson, Prince Hisahito, the third child of the Emperor Akihito's younger son.

On 13 July 2016, national broadcaster NHK reported that the then 82-year-old Emperor Akihito intended to abdicate in favor of his eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito within a few years, citing his age.

Abdication by the Emperor Akihito required an amendment to the Imperial Household Law, which had no provisions for such a move.

On 8 August 2016, the Emperor Akihito gave a rare televised address, where he emphasized his advanced age and declining health; this address was interpreted as an implication of his intention to abdicate.

In December 2021, Akihito celebrated his 88th birthday, making him the longest-living verifiable Japanese emperor in recorded history.

Emperor Akihito underwent surgery for prostate cancer on 14 January 2003.

In February 2012, it was announced that the Emperor Akihito would be having a coronary examination; he underwent successful heart bypass surgery on 18 February 2012.

In extension of his father's interest in marine biology, who published taxonomic works on the Hydrozoa, the Emperor Akihito emeritus is a published ichthyological researcher, and has specialized in studies within the taxonomy of the family Gobiidae.

Emperor Akihito has written papers for scholarly journals such as Gene, Ichthyological Research, and the Japanese Journal of Ichthyology.

Emperor Akihito has written papers about the history of science during the Edo and Meiji eras, which were published in Science and Nature.

Emperor 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 Emperor Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan.

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