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The life and reign of Japan’s Emperor Akihito, in photos

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are greeted as they attend a reception for the Midori Academic Prize award ceremony in Tokyo on April 26.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are greeted as they attend a reception for the Midori Academic Prize award ceremony in Tokyo on April 26.
Image: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
By
Johnny Simon
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Akihito, emperor of Japan for the past 30 years and the head of the world’s oldest continuous dynasty, will abdicate on April 30, at the age of 85. He’s the first emperor in two centuries to give up the throne. His son, Naruhito will assume the throne, marking an end to the Heisei era, and the beginning of the Reiwa era.

Akihito’s reign and his decades prior as crown prince are being remembered for welcoming an era of peace and change in Japan. The son of Hirohito, who ruled during World War II, Akihito came of age in the destruction following defeat in that conflict, as Japan sought to rebuild itself.

He is the first emperor of modern Japan to have reigned without his country ever being at war. When he was still crown prince—Hirohito would rule for several decades after the world war—Akihito toured the globe widely with his wife, empress Michiko, the first commoner to marry into the Japanese imperial family.

Akihito’s time on the Chrysanthemum throne also saw Japan’s ascent in the post-war period, as it transformed into a global economic and cultural force. Photos from his life show Akihito’s rise—and how he embodied modern Japan and its changing role in the world.

Empress Nagako embraces the year-old crown prince Akihito in 1935.
Empress Nagako embraces the year-old crown prince Akihito in 1935.
Image: Kyodo via AP
Akihito entering Gakushuin elementary school in Tokyo in 1940.
Akihito entering Gakushuin elementary school in Tokyo in 1940.
Image: JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images)
Akihito with his mother and his younger brother Yashi (later known as Prince Hitachi) in Tokyo in 1946.
Akihito with his mother and his younger brother Yashi (later known as Prince Hitachi) in Tokyo in 1946.
Image: PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Akihito  with Michiko Shoda at the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club in Tokyo on Dec. 6, 1958
Akihito  with Michiko Shoda at the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club in Tokyo on Dec. 6, 1958
Image: Kyodo via Reuters
A portrait of Crown Prince Akihito and Michiko Shoda at Tokyo International Airport in March 1959.
A portrait of Crown Prince Akihito and Michiko Shoda at Tokyo International Airport in March 1959.
Image: AP Photo
In ceremonial robes at a Shinto temple on the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds in April 1959, several days before their wedding.
In ceremonial robes at a Shinto temple on the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds in April 1959, several days before their wedding.
Image: AP Photo
In the royal carriage as it rolls through Tokyo after their wedding.
In the royal carriage as it rolls through Tokyo after their wedding.
Image: AP Photo
On a ride at Disneyland in California in 1960.
On a ride at Disneyland in California in 1960.
Image: AP Photo
Visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Sept. 27, 1960.
Visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Sept. 27, 1960.
Image: AP Photo
Throwing out the first ball  at the start of the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox  in New York, Oct. 2, 1960.
Throwing out the first ball  at the start of the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox  in New York, Oct. 2, 1960.
Image: AP Photo
On a state visit to New Delhi, India, Dec. 1, 1960.
On a state visit to New Delhi, India, Dec. 1, 1960.
Image: AP Photo
With their baby, Crown Prince Naruhito upon their return from one-month-long tour of Iran, Ethiopia, India and Nepal, at the Togu Palace in Tokyo in 1960.
With their baby, Crown Prince Naruhito upon their return from one-month-long tour of Iran, Ethiopia, India and Nepal, at the Togu Palace in Tokyo in 1960.
Image: JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
Mourning the victims of the World War II battle of Okinawa at Himeyuri Peace Memorial monument in Itoman, July 17, 1975.
Mourning the victims of the World War II battle of Okinawa at Himeyuri Peace Memorial monument in Itoman, July 17, 1975.
Image: Kyodo via Reuters
Meeting Japanese and foreign reporters during a nationally televised news conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, on Aug. 4, 1989, in the months after the death of Emperor Hirohito.
Meeting Japanese and foreign reporters during a nationally televised news conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, on Aug. 4, 1989, in the months after the death of Emperor Hirohito.
Image: AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye
A nationally televised news conference aired from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
A nationally televised news conference aired from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Image: AP Photo/Naokazu Oinuma
On his way to visit the inner shrine at Ise on Nov. 28, 1990.
On his way to visit the inner shrine at Ise on Nov. 28, 1990.
Image: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
Pledging to observe the constitution of Japan during ceremonies marking his accession to the throne, Nov. 12, 1990.
Pledging to observe the constitution of Japan during ceremonies marking his accession to the throne, Nov. 12, 1990.
Image: Imperial Household Agency of Japan via Reuters
Leading the sons of the royal couple, their spouses, and their daughter during the annual autumn imperial garden party at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Oct. 15, 1997.
Leading the sons of the royal couple, their spouses, and their daughter during the annual autumn imperial garden party at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Oct. 15, 1997.
Image: AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara
Sowing unhulled rice onto the paddy field in the compound of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, April 8, 1998.
Sowing unhulled rice onto the paddy field in the compound of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, April 8, 1998.
Image: AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency
With Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, May 26, 1998.
With Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, May 26, 1998.
Image: AP Photo/John Stillwell/
With evacuees from the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, at Tokyo Budoh-kan, an evacuation shelter in Tokyo.
With evacuees from the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, at Tokyo Budoh-kan, an evacuation shelter in Tokyo.
Image: REUTERS/Issei Kato
Feeding carp at the Imperial Residence at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Oct. 27, 2014.
Feeding carp at the Imperial Residence at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Oct. 27, 2014.
Image: Imperial Household Agency of Japan via Reuters
Address the nation in Tokyo, Aug. 8, 2016.
Address the nation in Tokyo, Aug. 8, 2016.
Image: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
With royal family members  during the spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo, April 25, 2018.
With royal family members  during the spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo, April 25, 2018.
Image: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Greeting guests during the autumn garden party at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.
Greeting guests during the autumn garden party at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.
Image: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Meeting kindergartners while visiting the Kodomonokuni, or “Children’s Land,” to mark the 60th anniversary of their marriage in Yokohama, April 12, 2019.
Meeting kindergartners while visiting the Kodomonokuni, or “Children’s Land,” to mark the 60th anniversary of their marriage in Yokohama, April 12, 2019.
Image: Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool Photo via AP