Birthday of Emperor Akihito

History of Birthday of Emperor Akihito

Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, in Tokyo as the eldest son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. During the Allied occupation of Japan, Akihito was tutored in English. He was the heir-apparent to the throne from the moment he was born; however, he was only officially appointed as the crown prince in 1952. He was married to Michiko Shoda in 1959 and had three children with her — Naruhito, Fumihto, and Sayako. Akihito ascended the Chrysanthemum throne on January 7, 1989.

Only three months after the death of Emperor Hirohito, Akihito began issuing statements of remorse to several Asian countries for the suffering they experienced under Japanese occupation, beginning with China. He also made attempts to bring the imperial family closer to the Japanese people.

On July 13, 2016, it was first reported that Akihito was planning to abdicate the throne. This marked a massive milestone in the Japanese imperial family as the last time the family had witnessed an abdication was in 1817. The one-off bill allowing the abdication was passed on June 8, 2017, and the throne was passed on to Akihito’s oldest son, the current emperor Naruhito on April 30, 2019.

Birthday of Emperor Akihito timeline

December 23, 1933

Birth

Prince Akihito is born.

1952

Crown Prince

Akihito is appointed as the Japanese crown prince.

January 17, 1989

Becoming Emperor

Akihito ascends to the throne.

April 30, 2019

Abdication

Akihito abdicates the Chrysanthemum throne.

Birthday of Emperor Akihito FAQs

When is Birthday of Emperor Akihito?

The Birthday of Emperor Akihito in 2026 falls on Wednesday, December 23. This day commemorates the life and reign of the 125th emperor of Japan, who abdicated in 2019.

Why is Emperor Akihito's birthday still observed?

Despite his abdication in 2019, Emperor Akihito’s birthday on December 23 remains a day of historical and cultural significance for many in Japan and globally. It provides an opportunity to reflect on his three-decade reign, the Heisei era, which emphasized peace and reconciliation.

Is Emperor Akihito's Birthday a national holiday?

No, the Birthday of Emperor Akihito is no longer a national holiday in Japan. Following his abdication in 2019, the national holiday shifted to February 23, which is the birthday of the current Emperor Naruhito. December 23 is now a regular working day.

What is the significance of the Heisei era?

The Heisei era (1989-2019) under Emperor Akihito was characterized by its name, meaning ‘achieving peace.’ It saw Japan navigate economic challenges, natural disasters, and a growing engagement with the international community, with the Emperor playing a symbolic role in national unity and reconciliation.

How to Observe Birthday of Emperor Akihito

Learn about Emperor Akihito’s reign

You can celebrate the day by reading about Emperor Akihito’s long and eventful reign. You never know what you might discover.

Read about Japanese imperialism

Akihito spent considerable time issuing statements of remorse to countries Japan had colonized. Learn about Japanese imperialism to understand why.

Visit Japan

Though there may be little to no official festivities, visit Japan to understand the legacy of Akihito’s reign. Not only will the history be interesting, culturally it is a beautiful country.

5 Interesting Facts About Japan

It is illegal to make clones

It is illegal to experiment with cloning human beings in Japan!

Illegal to gamble

It is also illegal to gamble in Japan.

Professional people pushers

The city of Tokyo hires workers to push people inside trains during rush hours.

Power naps at work

Taking power naps during the workday is an encouraged practice in Japan.

Waistline monitoring

As per law, the waistlines of Japanese citizens between the ages of 40 and 74 are measured by the government annually.

Why Birthday of Emperor Akihito is Important

It honors an important figure in Japanese history

Emperor Akihito is an important figure in modern Japanese history. This day honors him and his legacy.

It’s a reminder of the post-war Japanese legacy

Japan has an interesting post-war history. The Birthday of Emperor Akihito is a reminder of that.

It’s a reminder of imperial existence

The Birthday of Emperor Akihito is a reminder that monarchies continue to exist worldwide. They are not relics of the past as one may think them to be.