checked by simon on 21/11/01

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The Emperor and Empress of Japan

His Majesty Emperor Akihito, who acceded to the throne on Jan. 7, 1989, upon the death of Emperor Hirohito (posthumously named Emperor Showa), was born in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 1933, as the eldest son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. He studied at Gakushuin elementary, junior high and senior high schools. In 1952, he entered the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Politics and Economics, Gakushuin University. Also in 1952, he celebrated his Coming-of-Age Ceremony and official investiture as Crown Prince.

On April 10, 1959, Crown Prince Akihito married Miss Michiko Shoda (the current Empress). Miss Shoda was born in Tokyo on October 20, 1934, the eldest daughter of Hidesaburo Shoda, president of Nisshin Flour Mill Company; she was, therefore, the first commoner to marry with a crown prince.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have two sons, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino, and one daughter, Princess Sayako. On June 9, 1993 Crown Prince Naruhito married Miss Masako Owada, also a commoner, who worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo (until her engagement).

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".

Since his enthronement, Emperor Akihito, as the symbol of Japan, has been working together with Empress Michiko for peace and stability in the country and toward strengthening friendships with foreign countries.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko warmly received President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her husband, Taufik Kiemas, on a courtesy call at the Imperial Palace on 28 Oct. 2001, on the occasion of the President's official visit to Japan.