Naruhito

Naruhito (徳仁, pronounced [naɾɯꜜçi̥to]; born 23 February 1960) is the Emperor of Japan. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era, following the abdication of his father, Akihito.[1] He is the 126th monarch according to Japan's traditional order of succession.

This article is about the Emperor of Japan. For other people with this name, see Naruhito (given name).

Naruhito
Emperor of Japan
Reign1 May 2019 – present
Enthronement22 October 2019
PredecessorAkihito
Heir presumptiveFumihito
Prime MinisterShinzō Abe
BornNaruhito (徳仁)
(1960-02-23) 23 February 1960
Imperial Household Agency Hospital, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Spouse
​
(
m. 1993)
IssueAiko, Princess Toshi
Era name and dates
Reiwa: 1 May 2019 – present
HouseYamato
FatherAkihito
MotherMichiko Shōda
ReligionShinto

Name

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).[2] In writing, the Emperor is also referred to formally as "The Reigning Emperor" (今上天皇, Kinjō Tennō). The era of Naruhito's reign bears the name "Reiwa" (令和) pronounced [ɾeːɰa] (listen), and according to custom he will be renamed Emperor Reiwa (令和天皇, Reiwa Tennō, see "posthumous name") by order of the Cabinet after his death. The name of the next era under his successor will be established after his death or before his abdication.[3]

Early life
Naruhito in February 1961

Naruhito was born on 23 February 1960 at 4:15 p.m. in the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace.[4] As a prince, he later quipped, "I was born in a barn inside the moat".[5] His mother is a convert to Shinto from Roman Catholicism. Before Naruhito's birth, the announcement of the then Crown Prince Akihito's engagement and marriage to Michiko Shōda (later Empress Michiko) had drawn opposition from traditionalist groups, because Michiko came from a Roman Catholic family.[6] Although she was never baptized, she was educated in Catholic schools and seemed to share the faith of her parents. Rumors also speculated that Empress Kōjun had opposed the engagement. After the death of Naruhito's paternal grandmother Empress Kōjun in 2000, Reuters reported that she had been one of the strongest opponents of her son's marriage, and that in the 1960s, she had driven her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to depression by persistently accusing her of not being suitable for her son.[7]

Naruhito's childhood was reported to be happy, and he enjoyed activities such as mountain climbing, riding and learning the violin. He played with the children of the royal chamberlain, and he was a fan of the Yomiuri Giants in the Central League, his favorite player being No. 3, later team manager, Shigeo Nagashima. One day, Naruhito found the remains of an ancient roadway in the palace grounds, sparking a lifelong fascination with the history of transportation, which would provide the subject of his bachelor's and master's degrees in history.[8] He later said, "I have had a keen interest in roads since childhood. On roads you can go to the unknown world. Since I have been leading a life where I have few chances to go out freely, roads are a precious bridge to the unknown world, so to speak."[9]

In August 1974, when the prince was 14, he was sent to Melbourne, Australia, for a homestay. Naruhito's father, then the Crown Prince Akihito, had had a positive experience there on a trip the year before, and encouraged his son to go as well.[10] He stayed with the family of businessman Colin Harper.[11] He got along with his host brothers, riding around Point Lonsdale, playing the violin and tennis, and climbing Uluru together.[12] Once he even played the violin for dignitaries at a state dinner at Government House hosted by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.[13]

Education
Naruhito in 1990

When Naruhito was four years old he was enrolled in the prestigious Gakushūin school system, where many of Japan's elite families and narikin (nouveaux riches) send their children.[14] In senior high, Naruhito joined the geography club.[15]

Naruhito graduated from Gakushuin University in March 1982 with a Bachelor of Letters degree in history.[16] In July 1983 he entered a three-month intensive English course before entering Merton College, Oxford University, in the United Kingdom,[17] where he studied until 1986. Naruhito did not, however, submit his thesis A Study of Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century until 1989.[18] He later revisited these years in his book, The Thames and I – a Memoir of Two Years at Oxford. He visited some 21 historic pubs, including the Trout Inn.[19] Naruhito joined the Japan Society and the drama society, and became the honorary president of the karate and judo clubs.[20] He played inter-college tennis, seeded number three out of six on the Merton team,[20] and took golf lessons from a pro.[20] In his three years at Merton he also climbed the highest peaks in three of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom: Scotland's Ben Nevis, Wales' Snowdon and Scafell Pike in England.[21]

While at Oxford, Naruhito also was able to go sightseeing across Europe and meet much of its royalty, including the British royal family.[21] The relatively relaxed manners of the United Kingdom's royals amazed him: "Queen Elizabeth II, he noted with surprise, poured her own tea and served the sandwiches."[22] He also went skiing with Liechtenstein's Prince Hans-Adam II, holidayed in Mallorca in the Mediterranean with King Juan Carlos I, and sailed with Norway's Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.[23]

Upon his return to Japan, Naruhito enrolled once more in Gakushūin University to earn a Master of Humanities degree in history, successfully earning his degree in 1988.[24]

Personal life
Naruhito and Masako in May 2019

Marriage and family

Naruhito first met Masako Owada at a tea for Infanta Elena of Spain in November 1986,[25][20] during her studies at the University of Tokyo. The prince was immediately captivated by her,[26] and arranged for them to meet several times over the next few weeks.[27] Because of this, they were pursued relentlessly by the press throughout 1987.[28]

Despite the Imperial Household Agency's disapproval of Masako Owada, and her attending Balliol College, Oxford, for the next two years, Naruhito remained interested in Masako who worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He proposed to her three times before the Imperial Palace announced their engagement on 19 January 1993. The wedding took place on 9 June the same year at the Imperial Shinto Hall in Tokyo before 800 invited guests, including many of Europe's heads of state and royalty.[29]

By the time of their marriage, Naruhito's grandfather Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) had died, and so on 23 February 1991, Naruhito had been invested as the Crown Prince with the title Prince Hiro (浩宮, Hiro-no-miya).[30]

Masako's first pregnancy was announced in December 1999, but she miscarried.[31] Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have one daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi (敬宮愛子内親王, Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō), born 1 December 2001 at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace.[32][33]

Hobbies and interests

Naruhito is interested in water policy and water conservation. In March 2003, in his capacity as honorary president of the Third World Water Forum, he delivered a speech at the forum's opening ceremony titled "Waterways Connecting Kyoto and Local Regions". Visiting Mexico in March 2006, he gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony for the Fourth World Water Forum, "Edo and Water Transport". And in December 2007, he gave a commemorative talk at the opening ceremony for the First Asia-Pacific Water Summit, "Humans and Water: From Japan to the Asia-Pacific Region".[30]

Naruhito plays the viola, having switched from the violin because he thought the latter "too much of a leader, too prominent" to suit his musical and personal tastes.[34] He enjoys jogging, hiking, and mountaineering in his spare time.[13]

Crown Prince of Japan
Naruhito in Brazil, 18 June 2008

Naruhito is an honorary member of the World Commission on Water for the 21st century and patron of the Global Water Partnership, established by the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Swedish Agency of Development.

The Crown Prince was a patron of the Japanese Olympic Games Committee. The prince is also a supporter of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and in 2006 attended the 14th Nippon Jamboree, the Japanese national jamboree organized by the Scout Association of Japan. The crown prince has also been an honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society since 1994.[30]

For two weeks in 2012, Naruhito temporarily took charge of his father's duties while the Emperor underwent and recovered from heart bypass surgery.[35]

Naruhito's birthday was named "Mount Fuji Day" by Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures because of his reported love of the mountain.[36]

Emperor of Japan
Further information: 2019 Japanese imperial transition and Reiwa

On 1 December 2017, the government announced that Naruhito's father, Emperor Akihito, would abdicate on 30 April 2019, and that Naruhito would become emperor as of 1 May 2019.[37][38]

Following an abdication ceremony on the afternoon of 30 April, Akihito's reign and the Heisei era continued until the end of the day. Naruhito then succeeded him as emperor at the beginning of the day on 1 May, ushering in the Reiwa era. The transition took place at midnight. Naruhito's place as emperor was formalized in a ceremony on the morning of 1 May. In his first statement as emperor, he pledged to reflect deeply on the course followed by his father, and fulfill his constitutional responsibility "as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan".[1]

Naruhito's enthronement ceremony took place on 22 October 2019,[39] where he was duly enthroned in an ancient-style proclamation ceremony.[40]

Unlike most other constitutional monarchs, Naruhito is not even the nominal chief executive. The Constitution explicitly defines the emperor's role as entirely ceremonial and representative, without even nominal powers related to government. His few powers are ceremonial duties that he is required to perform. Even in these matters, he is bound by the requirements of the Constitution and the binding advice of the Cabinet. For instance, while he formally appoints the Prime Minister, he is required to appoint the person designated by the National Diet, without the option to decline appointment.

Selected works
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
  • 2006 – A The Thames and I: A Memoir of Two Years at Oxford with Hugh Cortazzi. Folkestone, Kent: Global Oriental. ISBN 978-1-905246-06-9; OCLC 65196090
  • 1993 – Temuzu to tomoni: Eikoku no ninenkan (テムズとともに: 英国の二年間, OCLC 032395987)

Titles, styles, and honours
Imperial Standard of the Emperor

Titles and styles
  • 23 February 1960 – 23 February 1991:
    • His Imperial Highness The Prince Hiro, Naruhito (浩宮徳仁親王殿下 Hiro-no-miya Naruhito Shinnō Denka)
  • 23 February 1991 – 30 April 2019:
    • His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan (皇太子殿下 Kōtaishi Denka)
    • His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan (皇太子徳仁親王殿下 Kōtaishi Naruhito Shinnō Denka)
  • 1 May 2019 – present:
    • His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan[41] (天皇陛下 Tennō Heika)

Honours
See also: List of honours of the Japanese imperial family by country

National

Foreign

Honorary degree

Honorary positions

Foreign Arms

Notes
  1. "Japan's new Emperor Naruhito pledges unity". BBC News. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  2. "Members of the Order of the Garter". The British Monarchy.
  3. "National Day of Japan to be celebrated". Embassy of Japan in Pakistan. 7 December 2007. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  4. "浩宮徳仁親王（現皇太子）誕生". Mainichi Shimbun. 23 February 1960. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. Hills 2006, p. 69
  6. Bix, Herbert P. (2000). Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan. New York: Harper Collins. pp. 661. ISBN 978-0-06-019314-0.
  7. "Japan's Dowager Empress Dead At 97". CBS News. 16 June 2000. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  8. Hills 2006, p. 76
  9. Hills 2006, p. 77
  10. Hills 2006, p. 56
  11. Hills 2006, p. 57
  12. Hills 2006, pp. 60–61
  13. Hills 2006, p. 60
  14. Hills 2006, pp. 77–78
  15. Hills 2006, p. 79
  16. Hills 2006, p. 81
  17. Hills 2006, pp. 142–143, 152
  18. Hills 2006, pp. 144–145
  19. Hills 2006, pp. 145–146
  20. Hills 2006, p. 150
  21. Hills 2006, p. 151
  22. Hills 2006, p. 148
  23. Hills 2006, pp. 151–152
  24. "Personal Histories of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress". The Imperial Household Agency. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  25. Fitzpatrick, Beth Cooney (21 January 2011). "Great Royal Weddings: Princess Masako and Crown Prince Naruhito". Stylelist. AOL. Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  26. Hills 2006, pp. 120–121
  27. Hills 2006, p. 123
  28. Hills 2006, p. 136
  29. Hills 2006, p. 2
  30. "Personal Histories of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess". Archived from the original on 5 December 2002. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  31. "Royal life takes its toll on Japan's crown princess". China Daily. 2 August 2004. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  32. "Girl Born to Japan's Princess". The New York Times. 1 December 2001. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  33. French, Howard W. (8 December 2001). "Japan: A Name For The Royal Baby". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  34. Hills 2006, p. 72
  35. "Japanese Emperor Akihito's heart surgery 'a success'". BBC News. 18 February 2012.
  36. 「梅原猛・川勝平太『日本思想の古層』藤原書店、2017, p. 14」
  37. "Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019". japantoday.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017.
  38. Osaki, Tomohiro (1 December 2017). "Japan sets date for Emperor Akihito's abdication as April 30, 2019". The Japan Times. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  39. "Enthronement ceremony for new emperor mulled for Oct. 2019". Mainichi Shimbun. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017. The government is mulling scheduling the enthronement ceremony for the next emperor for October 2019, months after Crown Prince Naruhito accedes to the Imperial Throne on May 1 that year upon his father Emperor Akihito's abdication, it has been learned.
  40. Japan emperor proclaims enthromement in ancient-style ceremony
  41. "Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress - The Imperial Household Agency". www.kunaicho.go.jp. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  42. "令和元年5月1日（水）午前 | 令和元年 | 官房長官記者会見". 首相官邸ホームページ (in Japanese). 内閣官房. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  43. "Promotion of Blood Donation". 7 July 2016.
  44. "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). p. 1299.
  45. Guillaume and Stephanie of Luxembourg’s religious wedding Ceremony, Prince Naruhito, having no Luxembourgish decoration, has worn the ribbon bar Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine of Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
  46. "Modtagere af danske dekorationer". kongehuset.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  47. www.borger.dk Archived 17 December 2012 at Archive.today, Persondetaljer - Hans Kejserlige Højhed Naruhito
  48. "Hungarian Journal, State Gazette issue 64, 2000. june 23" (in Hungarian). p. 3830.
  49. "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan".
  50. "Filipino recipients of Japanese decorations and Japanese recipients of Philippine decorations". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
  51. "Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas" (in Portuguese). presidencia.pt. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  52. "Boletín Oficial del Estado" (PDF).
  53. "Wedding Of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria & Daniel Westling - Arrivals". Getty Images. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  54. "Glittering Royal Events Message Board: Coronation in Tonga". 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  55. Ito, Kazuya (4 July 2015). "Crown Princess Masako completes first duties abroad in more than 2 years". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  56. "United Arab Emirates (Image)".
  57. "Japanese crown prince visits UAE".
  58. http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf

Sources
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Naruhito
Born: 23 February 1960
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Akihito		 Emperor of Japan
2019–present		 Incumbent
Heir presumptive:
Fumihito
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