◆Biography: Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan
His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan (The 125th Emperor of Japan)
Name: Akihito
Born: December 23, 1933, as the eldest son of the late Emperor Showa
Coming of Age Ceremony and Investiture as Crown Prince, at the age of 18, conducted at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo: November 1952
Accession to the Throne: January 7, 1989
Enthronement Ceremony: November 12, 1990
Education: Finished education at Gakushuin University, 1956.
In June 1953, His Majesty the Emperor, the then Crown Prince, representing Japan at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, made his first overseas trip. On this trip he travelled to 13 other countries in Europe and North America.
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress have visited 56 countries in more than fifty years since their marriage in 1959.
On 12 November, 1990, the Enthronement Ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, attended, from abroad, by dignitaries from 158 countries, including Monarchs and Heads of State and two international organizations.
As stated in the Constitution of Japan, the Emperor is“the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people”and derives His position from“the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.”
Her Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan
Name: Michiko
Born: October 20, 1934, as the eldest daughter of Hidesaburo and Fumiko Shoda
Honorary Position: Honorary President of the Japanese Red Cross Society
Education: Graduated from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature in the Faculty of Literature at the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, 1957
Marriage: April 10, 1959
Children: His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, born February 23, 1960
His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito of Akishino, born November 30, 1965
Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako (now Mrs. Yoshiki Kuroda),
born April 18, 1969
©Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau
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