The world's last ruling emperor abdicated the throne: 10 interesting facts about him

Throughout its long history, the Japanese monarchy was so far from ordinary people that when in 1945, the Japanese heard the voice of their emperor Hirohito on the radio announcing the defeat of the country in World War II, many did not believe their ears.

Фото: Depositphotos

Hirohito's son, Emperor Akihito, oversaw the transformation of the imperial court into a friendlier, closer-to-people symbol of the “unity of the people.” This definition of the role of the monarch is written into the country's constitution.

Unfortunately for many Japanese, age and health do not allow Emperor Akihito to perform his duties, and the government allowed him to abdicate.

Currently, Akihito is the only reigning emperor in the world. 30 April 2019, Akihito voluntarily left the throne, transferring the throne to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. This is the first emperor of the last 200 years (after Kokaku), who abdicated the throne.

We have prepared for you 10 interesting facts about Akihito.

1. The Emperor is from a family with millennial history

Emperor Akihito was born 23 December 1933 of the year, he is the 125 th emperor in this genus in this genus that has existed for more than 2600 years. This makes the emperor's dynasty the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world.

From two years old, the emperor was brought up separately from his parents.

Фото: Depositphotos

2. The marriage of the emperor broke the tradition

In 1959, the crown prince married out of love to Michiko Shode, the eldest daughter of the president of a large milling company. Thus, the centuries-old traditions were violated, ordering the members of the imperial family to choose girls of exclusively aristocratic origin as wives.

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With his future wife Akihito met on the tennis court.

The emperor and his wife have three children and four grandchildren.

Photo: wikipedia.org/ East Asia and Pacific Media Hub — President Obama at the Welcome Ceremony in Japan

3. The Emperor sits on the Chrysanthemum throne

The name comes from the imperial seal of Japan, officially approved in 1889 year. It depicts an 16-petal yellow chrysanthemum.

7 January 1989, the Crown Prince became the Emperor of Japan, inheriting the throne after the death of his father. Official ceremonies for accession to the throne lasted about two years

4. Akihito is not God

Emperor Hirohito publicly renounced claims to the divine origin of the imperial family as part of the capitulation of Japan after World War II.

According to the Japanese constitution, the emperor is the symbol of the nation, but some Japanese still believe that he should be treated as a deity.

5. Akihito played tennis with George Bush senior

Фото: Depositphotos

During his life, the emperor visited a huge number of countries and met with a large number of leaders of these countries than any of his predecessors. In 1998, he met with Queen Elizabeth of Britain.

And with US President George W. Bush, the Japanese emperor twice had a chance to play tennis. And both times Akihito won.

6. The Emperor is having health problems.

In 2003, the emperor was operated on because of prostate cancer, in 2012, he was operated on his heart.

When he formally announced his desire to abdicate in 2016, he said he was "worried that it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to carry out his duties as a symbol of the nation."

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7. Once the emperor was photographed by a schoolgirl

Akihito made a number of very successful attempts to bring the emperor's figure closer to ordinary people. He traveled a lot around the country and informally talked with ordinary Japanese face to face.

One day, a schoolgirl took a photograph of the emperor while he was visiting her prefecture and posted the photo on Twitter. This act caused heated debate in society: the older generation considered it disrespect for the emperor, but the youth considered it quite normal.

8. Akihito actively helped the Japanese after the tsunami

Фото: Depositphotos

Akihito made the first televised address to the nation after the devastating earthquake and tsunami 2011 of the year, when tens of thousands of people died, went missing and lost their homes.

He addressed people in modern Japanese, avoiding the old-fashioned ceremonial language adopted at court. “I sincerely hope that people will join hands, treat each other with compassion and get through these difficult times together,” he said.

Regarding the Fukushima nuclear accident, Akihito said: “I hope things will turn out for the better.” Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the disaster area a month after the earthquake and spoke with evacuees.

9. He brought Japan to a new level.

After defeat in World War II, Akihito led Japan along the path of peace and non-violence.

Last year, Akihito said: "Looking back at the past, along with deep remorse for the war, I pray that this tragedy will not be repeated, and together with the people, I express my deep condolences to those who fell in battle and suffered."

10. In honor of the emperor named fish

Since his youth, the emperor has been interested in ichthyology and marine biology. He is an expert on goby fish, one of which was even named after him - Exirias Akihito. He has written articles for the Japanese Journal of Ichthyology several times.

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