Naruhito

Naruhito
Naruhito in 2025
Emperor of Japan
Reign1 May 2019 – present
Enthronement22 October 2019
PredecessorAkihito
Heir presumptiveFumihito
BornNaruhito, Prince Hiro
(浩宮徳仁親王)

(1960-02-23) 23 February 1960
Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Spouse
(m. 1993)
IssueAiko, Princess Toshi
Era name and dates
Reiwa: 1 May 2019 – present
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherAkihito
MotherMichiko Shōda
ReligionShinto
Signature

Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is Emperor of Japan since 1 May 2019. He is the 126th monarch, according to the traditional order of succession.

Naruhito was born during the reign of his paternal grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, and became heir apparent when his father, Emperor Akihito, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989. He was formally invested as Crown Prince of Japan in 1991. He attended Gakushūin schools in Tokyo and later studied history at Gakushuin University and English at Merton College, Oxford. In June 1993, he married the diplomat Masako Owada. They have one daughter: Aiko, Princess Toshi.

Naruhito became emperor upon his father's abdication in 2019, beginning the Reiwa era. Continuing his grandfather's and father's boycott over the enshrinement of convicted war criminals, he has never visited Yasukuni Shrine. He is interested in water policy and water conservation. He was an honorary president of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and is a supporter of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.