Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th emperor of Japan from 1989 until his abdication in 2019. The era of his rule was named the Heisei (平成) era, Heisei being an expression of achieving peace worldwide.
Akihito in 2014
One year old Akihito with his mother Empress Kōjun, 1934
Akihito at the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony, 1952
Akihito, aged 19, at the Van Gogh exhibition in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 1953
The Imperial House , also referred to as the Imperial Family and the House of Yamato, is the imperial family of Japan, consisting of those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Other members of the Imperial Family perform ceremonial and social duties, but have no role in the affairs of government. The duties as an emperor are passed down the line to their male children. This Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
The Japanese Imperial Family tree as of February 2022
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako with some of the other members of the imperial family, 2021
Members of the Imperial Family show themselves to the general public during celebrations for the new emperor's enthronement. Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are not present (4 May 2019).
Princess Mako (left) forwent a one-off million-dollar payment given to imperial women upon leaving the Imperial Family
