The Japanese Imperial Family, often referred to as the Royal Family Japanese, holds a unique position in the world. Widely believed to be the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, its lineage stretches back centuries, potentially as far as 97 B.C. and Emperor Sujin. Today, the Chrysanthemum Throne is occupied by Emperor Naruhito, the 126th monarch in this unbroken line. Ascending in 2019 after the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Naruhito leads a family of just 17 members, navigating the complexities of tradition in the modern era.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito marked a turning point by becoming the first Japanese royal to abdicate in two centuries. His reign is celebrated for modernizing the emperor’s role and fostering reconciliation on the global stage after World War II. Emperor Naruhito is expected to continue this legacy, representing Japan internationally and bridging the gap between the royal institution and the Japanese populace.
In his accession address, Emperor Naruhito respectfully acknowledged his father’s contributions, emphasizing his commitment to unity and peace. Echoing his father’s aims, he stated his intention to “bear in mind the path trodden by past emperors,” as reported by the BBC. His words, “I sincerely hope for the happiness of the people and further progress of the country, and for world peace,” resonated with a nation looking to the future while honoring its rich past.
Tradition is the bedrock of the royal family japanese. For generations, Japanese emperors were considered divine, descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu. However, following World War II, Emperor Hirohito, Akihito’s father, publicly renounced his divinity. Under the current Constitution of Japan, the monarchy’s role is strictly ceremonial. They wield no governmental power, are prohibited from political involvement, and serve as symbols of national unity.
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While Japan has seen eight empresses regnant throughout its history, the royal family japanese currently operates under the Imperial Household Law of 1947. This law restricts succession to the male line and stipulates that women who marry commoners must relinquish their royal status. This rule was exemplified when Akihito’s daughter, Sayako Kuroda, departed the royal family in 2005 upon marrying a commoner. More recently, former Princess Mako’s marriage to Kei Komuro in 2021 and subsequent move to the United States sparked international attention, drawing parallels to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the British royal family.
Responding to comparisons with the British royals, Mako stated after her wedding, “As for the comparison [to Harry and Meghan], I don’t have any particular thoughts.” She added, “What I would like is just to lead a peaceful life in my new environment,” expressing her desire for privacy and normalcy.
The rules governing succession and the role of women in the royal family japanese have been subjects of ongoing debate. Discussions about modernizing the male-only succession laws and the status of women married to non-royals have gained traction in recent years. These discussions are particularly pertinent given that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have only one child, a daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi.
Under the existing laws, Princess Aiko is not eligible to inherit the throne. The line of succession currently proceeds to Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother, Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino, followed by Crown Prince Akishino’s son, Prince Hisahito, and then Emperor Emeritus Akihito’s brother, Masahito, Prince Hitachi. With no other heirs, the future of the royal family japanese and the imperial succession remains a topic of national interest.
From Emperor Naruhito to the younger generation, each member plays a vital role in shaping the image and future of the royal family japanese. Here’s a closer look at the key figures:
Emperor Emeritus Akihito
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Emperor Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan, reigned from January 1989 to April 2019. His abdication, driven by age and health concerns, marked a historic moment as the first voluntary relinquishment of the throne by a Japanese monarch since 1817. He succeeded his father, Emperor Shōwa, and was succeeded by his son, Emperor Naruhito.
Born in Tokyo on December 23, 1933, Akihito was the son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun. He had six siblings and experienced the tumultuous years of World War II and postwar Japan. In a move that symbolized modernization, he married Michiko Shōda in 1959, the first commoner to marry into the royal family japanese. Together, they have three children: sons Naruhito and Fumihito, and daughter Sayako Kuroda (formerly Princess Nori).
Akihito’s reign, known as the Heisei era, meaning “peace everywhere,” was characterized by his efforts to connect with the Japanese people. He and Empress Michiko embarked on extensive tours throughout Japan, visiting all 47 prefectures and numerous remote islands, demonstrating a commitment to public service and national unity. After his passing, he will be posthumously renamed Emperor Heisei, following imperial tradition. His legacy is one of bringing the monarchy closer to the people and promoting peace and reconciliation.
Empress Emerita Michiko
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Born Michiko Shōda in Tokyo on October 20, 1934, Empress Emerita Michiko’s entry into the royal family japanese was groundbreaking. Coming from a wealthy, non-aristocratic family, she was a literature student at the University of the Sacred Heart when she met Crown Prince Akihito on a tennis court in 1957.
Their relationship faced initial resistance, primarily due to her family’s Roman Catholic faith, contrasting with the imperial family’s Shinto traditions. Empress Kōjun, Akihito’s mother, reportedly opposed the engagement. Despite this, Akihito and Michiko married in 1959, making her the first commoner empress in Japanese history.
Empress Emerita Michiko, alongside Emperor Emeritus Akihito, is seen as a key figure in modernizing the royal family japanese. They challenged traditions by raising their three children themselves, rather than relying solely on palace tutors. Michiko assumed the role of honorary president of the Japanese Red Cross Society after her mother-in-law’s death in 2000 and also took on the traditional responsibility of caring for the palace silkworms. Her elegance and grace were recognized internationally when she was inducted into Vanity Fair‘s International Best-Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1990.
Emperor Naruhito
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Emperor Naruhito, born Prince Hiro on February 23, 1960, is the eldest son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Continuing the pattern of modernization within the royal family japanese, Naruhito pursued extensive education both in Japan and abroad. He attended the elite Gakushūin school system, experienced a homestay in Australia at 14, and later studied history at Gakushūin University and English at Oxford University’s Merton College.
His path to the throne began when he was proclaimed crown prince in 1991, following his father’s ascension. Emperor Naruhito married Masako Owada in 1993, whom he met at a tea ceremony in 1986 while she was a student at the University of Tokyo. They have one daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi, born in 2001.
Emperor Naruhito acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne in May 2019, ushering in the Reiwa era. The name “Reiwa,” derived from Man’yōshū, Japan’s oldest poetry collection, signifies “beautiful harmony,” marking a departure from the tradition of choosing era names from classical Chinese texts.
In his inaugural public address, Emperor Naruhito paid homage to his father’s legacy and affirmed his commitment to serving as a symbol of the state and the unity of the Japanese people. He has also been involved in international events, serving as a patron of the 1998 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Nagano and honorary president of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo. Outside of his official duties, Emperor Naruhito is known for his interest in music, particularly playing the viola.
In February 2023, Emperor Naruhito delivered his first public birthday address since becoming Emperor, after postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared on the Imperial Palace balcony, greeted by thousands of well-wishers, accompanied by Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, and other members of the royal family japanese.
Empress Masako
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Empress Masako, born Masako Owada on December 9, 1963, has a distinguished background that sets her apart within the royal family japanese. Her father, Hisashi Owada, was a respected diplomat, law professor, and former judge at the International Court of Justice. Masako’s upbringing was international, spending parts of her childhood in Moscow, Tokyo, and Boston.
Her academic achievements are equally impressive. Empress Masako graduated with an economics degree from Harvard University in 1985 and pursued law studies at the University of Tokyo, aiming for a career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also spent time at Oxford University’s Balliol College as part of her diplomatic training.
Her encounter with then-Crown Prince Naruhito occurred at a tea ceremony in 1986, hosted for Princess Elena of Spain. Despite initial reservations and rejecting his proposals twice, Masako accepted Naruhito’s third proposal in January 1993, subsequently resigning from her promising diplomatic career to join the royal family japanese.
Masako and Naruhito married in June 1993 and welcomed their daughter, Aiko, in 2001. In the early 2000s, Empress Masako faced challenges adapting to royal life and withdrew from public duties after being diagnosed with adjustment disorder. Emperor Naruhito has been publicly supportive of his wife, defending her against criticisms regarding her reduced public role.
Empress Masako gradually returned to public engagements, particularly following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. In 2013, she undertook her first overseas trip in over a decade, traveling to the Netherlands. Prior to becoming Empress in 2019, she expressed feelings of “insecurity” about her new role but also a strong commitment to serving the people.
Aiko, Princess Toshi
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Aiko, Princess Toshi, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, was born on December 1, 2001. Currently, Princess Aiko is not in the line of succession due to the Imperial Household Law’s male-only succession rule, a point of ongoing debate in Japan. Public opinion polls, such as a 2017 Mainichi Shimbun poll, indicate significant support for allowing empresses regnant.
Princess Aiko began undertaking public duties at the age of 20, marking her official debut at the New Year’s Day celebration at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace in 2022. She is currently pursuing a degree in Japanese language and literature at Gakushūin University and resides with her parents at the Imperial Palace.
Following royal traditions, Princess Aiko raised silkworms in 2022. She also has pets – a dog named Yuri and two cats, Mii and Seven – and enjoys sports such as tennis, badminton, and volleyball. As she matures, Princess Aiko is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in the royal family japanese, even within the constraints of current succession laws.
Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino
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Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino, born Prince Aya on November 30, 1965, is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito and currently first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Like his brother, he is a graduate of Gakushūin University and also studied at Oxford University’s St. John’s College. He further earned a doctorate in ornithology from the Graduate University of Advanced Studies in Japan, reflecting his academic interests.
His marriage to Kiko Kawashima in 1990 also broke with tradition, as he married before his elder brother and while still a graduate student. Kiko was the second commoner to marry into the royal family japanese, after Empress Emerita Michiko. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko have three children: Mako Komuro (formerly Princess Mako), Princess Kako of Akishino, and Prince Hisahito of Akishino.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his formal investiture as Crown Prince was conducted privately in 2020. Beyond his royal duties, Crown Prince Akishino is actively involved in conservation and research, serving as president of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and the Japanese Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquariums.
Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino
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Crown Princess Akishino, born Kiko Kawashima on September 11, 1966, has an international background and a strong academic record. Her father was a professor emeritus at Gakushūin University, and her family lived in the United States and Austria during his academic pursuits, making her fluent in Japanese, English, and German.
She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology from Gakushūin University and later obtained a Ph.D. in humanities from Ochanomizu University. She met Crown Prince Akishino while they were both students at Gakushūin.
Crown Princess Akishino is known for her dedication to charitable causes, particularly those related to children and medicine. She is also deeply involved with Deaf communities in Japan, having learned Japanese sign language and working as an interpreter. She actively participates in royal duties, including diplomatic visits and supporting her husband in his responsibilities within the royal family japanese.
Mako Komuro
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Mako Komuro, formerly Princess Mako, born on October 23, 1991, is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino. Her departure from the royal family japanese to marry commoner Kei Komuro drew significant global attention. Mako pursued her education internationally, studying English at University College Dublin and art history at the University of Edinburgh before attending International Christian University in Tokyo, where she met Kei Komuro.
Their engagement, announced in 2017, faced considerable public and media scrutiny, leading to a four-year postponement of their wedding. Princess Mako made the significant decision to forgo her royal status and also declined a traditional government payout offered to princesses leaving the family.
Mako and Kei Komuro married in a subdued ceremony in October 2021, reflecting the controversies surrounding their union. Following their marriage, they moved to New York City, where Kei works as a lawyer. Mako has reportedly begun volunteering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, pursuing her academic background in art history. Her story highlights the personal sacrifices and challenges faced by members of the royal family japanese in navigating tradition and personal choice.
Kei Komuro
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Kei Komuro, born in 1991, is now known for his marriage to former Princess Mako. He and Mako met as students at International Christian University in Tokyo. Their relationship and marriage plans became a major topic of public discussion in Japan, partly due to financial issues involving Kei’s mother that were heavily scrutinized by the media.
Despite the intense media attention and public criticism, Kei and Mako remained committed to their relationship. Before their wedding, it was announced that Mako had been diagnosed with PTSD due to the media pressure. Kei expressed his deep love for Mako and his sadness at the distress caused by “false accusations.”
After marrying, Kei Komuro relocated with Mako to New York City, where he pursued and passed the New York bar exam after previous attempts. He is currently working as an attorney at the law firm Lowenstein Sandler, beginning a new chapter in his and Mako’s life away from the direct spotlight of the royal family japanese.
Princess Kako of Akishino
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Princess Kako of Akishino, born on December 29, 1994, is the second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino. She has taken on an increasingly prominent public role within the royal family japanese, particularly after her elder sister Mako’s departure. Princess Kako initially attended Gakushūin University but later transferred to International Christian University.
Princess Kako made her formal debut as an adult royal at her 20th birthday in 2014 and has since been active in public engagements. Following her mother’s example, she has also learned Japanese sign language and participates in activities related to Deaf communities.
With Mako no longer a working royal, Kako has taken over some of her sister’s patronages and has increased her participation in official events and duties. The Imperial Household Agency released birthday portraits in December 2022, highlighting her growing role and responsibilities within the royal family japanese.
Prince Hisahito of Akishino
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Prince Hisahito of Akishino, born on September 6, 2006, is the only son of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino and second in line to the Japanese throne. He represents the future of the royal family japanese and carries the weight of expectation as the only male of his generation in the direct line of succession.
Prince Hisahito broke with royal tradition by not attending Gakushūin schools, instead opting for a university-affiliated elementary and junior high school. In 2022, he began attending a competitive senior high school in Tokyo. He is known to be interested in badminton and also conducts research on dragonflies on the Akishino family estate, demonstrating a blend of traditional and modern pursuits.
Crown Princess Kiko expressed hope that Prince Hisahito will develop a “broad global perspective” as he grows, suggesting an awareness of the need for the future of the royal family japanese to engage with the wider world while upholding its traditions.
The royal family japanese stands at a fascinating intersection of ancient traditions and modern expectations. As they navigate succession issues, evolving social norms, and their role on the global stage, the family continues to be a symbol of Japan’s enduring cultural heritage and its journey into the future.
