Naruhito

Naruhito of Japan – Naruhito of Japan and Prince Felipe of Spain Meet at the Spanish Money House in Madrid on June 11, 2013 – Spanish Money House – Madrid, Spain – Photo Credit: Solarpix / PR Photos

Birth Name: Naruhito, Prince Hiro (浩宮徳仁親王)

Place of Birth: Imperial Household Agency Hospital, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

Date of Birth: 23 February, 1960

Ethnicity: Japanese

Naruhito has been Emperor of Japan, since 1 May, 2019. He was enthroned on 22 October, 2019.

He is the elder son of Emperor Akihito, who was Emperor of Japan, from 7 January, 1989 to 30 April, 2019; and Empress Michiko (Michiko Shōda). He is married to Masako Owada, with whom he has a daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi. Naruhito is a Shinto.

Naruhito’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced to his 51st great-grandfather, Emperor Keitai (c. 450–534). However, descent prior to Keitai is unclear to modern historians, but is traditionally traced back patrilineally to Emperor Jimmu.

Naruhito’s paternal grandfather was Hirohito (the son of Yoshihito, Emperor Taishō, and of Lady Sadako Kujō). Hirohito was born at Tōgū Palace, Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan, and was Emperor of Japan, from 25 December, 1926 to 7 January, 1989. Yoshihito was Emperor of Japan, from 30 July, 1912 to 25 December, 1926, and was the son of Mutsuhito, Emperor Meiji, who was Emperor of Japan, from 3 February, 1867 to 30 July, 1912; and of Lady Naruko Yanagihara. Sadako was the daughter of Prince Kujō Michitaka, of the Fujiwara Clan, who was Minister of the Left, from 1867 to 1869, and Head of Kujō family, from 1859 to 1906; and of Lady Ikuko Noma.

Naruhito’s paternal grandmother was Princess Nagako, of Kuni (the daughter of Kuniyoshi, 2nd Imperial Prince Kuni, and of Princess Chikako Shimazu). Nagako was born in Tokyo City, Japan. Kuniyoshi was the son of Asahiko, 1st Imperial Prince Kuni, and of Lady Makiko Izumi. Chikako was the daughter of Prince Shimazu Tadayoshi, who was a Japanese daimyō of the late Edo period, and ruled the Satsuma Domain as its 12th and last daimyō; and of Lady Sumako Yamazaki.

Naruhito’s maternal grandfather was Hidesaburō Shōda (the son of Teiichirō Shōda and Kinu Shōda). Hidesaburō was born in Tatebayashi Town, Ōra District, Japan. He was a businessperson, who was president, and later honorary chairman, of Nisshin Seifun Group, Japan’s largest flour milling company. Teiichirō was the son of Sakujirō Shōda and Saiwai.

Naruhito’s maternal grandmother was Fumiko Soejima (the daughter of Tsunatake Soejima and Aya Soejima).