Akihito (Emperor)

Emperor Akihito was the reigning emperor of Japan from 1989 to 2019. As a constitutional monarch, he served as a symbolic figure representing the unity and continuity of Japan, with no political power. Known for his humility and efforts to connect with the Japanese people, he often expressed remorse for Japan’s wartime actions. In 2019, he abdicated the throne, marking the first voluntary abdication by a Japanese emperor in over two centuries, and was succeeded by his son, Emperor Naruhito. Akihito’s reign is noted for promoting a peaceful and compassionate image of the Japanese imperial family.