Emperor's Birthday
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| December 23rd is a national holiday when the Japanese people celebrate the reign of the present emperor, Emperor Akihito. Japanese mythology says that the Japanese emperors, who are called tennoes in Japanese, are the descendants of the sun goddess named Amaterasu Omikami, and that the first emperor, Jimmu, ascended the throne and began his reign in 660 BC. Emperor Akihito is thought to be a direct descendant of Emperor Jimmu and the 125th emperor to succeed to the throne. Emperor Akihito was born on December 23rd, 1933. He is the eldest sun of the late Emperor Showa (1901 to 1989) and the late Empress Kojun (1903 to 2000). Emperor Akihito married Michiko Shoda in 1959 when he was the Crown Prince. She was the first Crown Princess to be selected from outside the circle of the Imperial Family and the former peerage. This was a major change to a tradition that had been followed for a long time. Many Japanese people welcomed their marriage which symbolized the democratization of the Imperial Family. Crown Prince Akihito represented the Showa Emperor and officially visited the United Kingdom and many other countries overseas. Emperor Akihito ascended the throne immediately after the Showa Emperor died in January 1989. The era name, which is called gengo in Japanese, was changed from Showa to Heisei. The new era name of Heisei represents achieving peace. Emperor Akihito is known as a scholar of marine biology and ichthyology. He also enjoys music and sports. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have two sons, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino, and one daughter, Princess Sayako. |
| History shows that the definition of the emperor's status and role has changed several times. There were two remarkable changes in modern times. The first was in the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912). The Meiji Restoration took place in 1868, and then the sovereign power, which had been held by the shoguns since the 12th century, was restored to the emperor. The emperor's sovereign power was reinforced by the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, which was promulgated in 1889 and placed the military under the control of the emperor. The emperor was also deified and was considered to be a living god called arahitogami in Japanese. The emperor consequently held religious authority. |
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The second remarkable change took place after World War Ⅱ. Japan was defeated in World War Ⅱ, and the Showa Emperor stated that he was a human being and denied his divinity. Then, a new constitution called the Constitution of Japan was enacted , and it stipulates that the emperor is the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the people. The emperor's authority is limited to merely formal and ceremonial affairs of state, and any act concerning the affairs of state that the emperor performs require the advice and approval of the cabinet. |
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shinwa (Japanese mythology) Japanese mythology is recorded in historical chronicles including the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon-shoki (Chronicle of Japan). |
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Amaterasu Omikami The sun goddess called Amaterasu Omikami is said to be the chief divinity of Shintoism. |
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shogun  The word shogun refers to the samurai who was responsible for administering the feudal government called the bakufu in Japanese. The samurai government was initiated in the 12th century and lasted until 1868 when the political power shifted from the government of Edo to the Imperial Court. In feudal times, shoguns who were designated by the Imperial Court held the reigns of government and executed the affairs of state. |