Akihito

Akihito (明仁, Japanese: [akʲiçito]; English pronunciation ; born 23 December 1933) is the Emperor of Japan. He is the 125th Emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. Akihito succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne upon his father Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito)'s death on 7 January 1989. The Japanese government announced in December 2017 that Akihito will abdicate on April 30, 2019. 2Name In Japan, the Emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Majesty the Emperor" (天皇陛下, Tennō Heika) which may be shortened to "His 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, 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 be established. If the Emperor were to abdicate, he would receive the title of Jōkō (上皇), an abbreviation of Daijō Tennō (太上天皇, Retired Emperor), and a new era would be established. 2Life and work Akihito was born in the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo City, Japan, and is the elder son and the fifth child of the Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) and Empress Kōjun (Nagako