IN THE KNOW

JAPANESE Emperor Akihito, the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world, is the 125th emperor of Japan. Born on Dec. 23, 1933, he is the fifth child and first son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako Kuni.

Akihito’s era name is “Heisei,” which means “achieving peace.” Japanese emperors, after their death, are referred by the name of the era over which they reigned.

After World War II, members of the Japanese royalty were stripped of all their powers to rule and limited to being symbolic figures. This also meant the relaxation of imperial household laws, including favoring the strengthening of the imperial bloodlines by allowing marriage outside the old aristocracy.

In 1959, breaking a 1,500-year tradition, then Crown Prince Akihito married a commoner, Michiko Shoda, a daughter of a wealthy businessman. Their first son, Naruhito, now crown prince and next in line to the throne, was born in 1960 followed by Prince Akishino in 1965 and Princess Nori in 1969.

Philippine visit

In November 1962, Akihito came to the Philippines for a five-day state visit. He and Michiko were welcomed by President Diosdado Macapagal at Malacañang. They also visited the house of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite province.

Akihito became emperor on Jan. 7, 1989, after the death of his father. He was enthroned on Nov. 12, 1990, with 2,500 dignitaries from 158 countries attending his enthronement ceremony.

Though Akihito is the first emperor of Japan, not worshipped or given political power, the Japanese throne remains greatly respected by much of the public.

The Japanese royal family has been slowly adjusting to modern times. Akihito has repeatedly tried to connect to the Japanese people and serve as an ambassador to the rest of the world.

In May 1990, during a banquet for visiting South Korean President Roh Tae-woo in Tokyo, Akihito expressed “deepest regret” for the 35-year Japanese occupation of Korea.

In October 1992, Akihito went on a state visit in China. It was the first visit to China by a Japanese monarch.

In July 2009, Akihito and Michiko visited Hawaii and laid a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific for veterans of the two world wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In March 2011, Akihito delivered a recorded televised speech of hope in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.

In December 2015, during a media interview, Akihito reiterated that the bitter lessons from World War II should be remembered.

“I think for the sake of the future of Japan, it is extremely important to be fully aware of the war and deepen our thought,” he said.

Akihito turned 82 on Dec. 23 last year and remains physically active despite two surgeries. In January 2003, he successfully underwent surgery for prostate cancer. In February 2012, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.

On Jan. 8, the emperor even renewed his driver’s license after receiving the instruction and testing required by the Japanese government for all elderly license holders.

The empress

Michiko Shoda, eldest daughter of a wealthy flour miller, married Emperor Akihito on April 10, 1959. Born on Oct. 20, 1934, she is the first commoner to marry into the imperial family.

Akihito and Michiko first met at a tennis match, where Akihito was defeated, and immediately fell in love.

Michiko comes from a prominent family and graduated with a degree from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at the University of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo. Both families initially opposed the marriage but Akihito persisted in his decision to build a family with Michiko.

After giving birth to their first son in 1960, Michiko suffered a miscarriage in 1963. Their second son was born in 1965 and their youngest daughter was born in 1969.

Empress Michiko kept her interest in children’s literature and contributed to that field herself. Hajimete no Yamanobori (My First Mountain), a picture book for which the Empress wrote the story, was published in 1991.

Michiko travels around the world with her husband in his state visits. Compiled by Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research

Sources: Imperial Household Agency website, Britannica, CNN Library, PBS.org, AFP, BBC, New York Times