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Emperor of Japan
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Emperor Naruhito of Japan smiles while posing outdoors in a light gray suit and white shirt in front of Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi showing Emperor Jimmu in flowing robes holding a long bow and staff with a bird, standing before radiating sunbeams as figures cower below. Emperor Meiji Emperor Hirohito Japanese Emperor Akihito, wearing a dark suit and tie, smiles and waves with his right hand to onlookers, with blurred people in the background.
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Emperor Naruhito of Japan smiles while posing outdoors in a light gray suit and white shirt in front of Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
Emperor Naruhito Japanese emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne in 2019, beginning Japan's Reiwa era.

Emperor of Japan

Japanese monarch
Written by
Ethan Teekah
Ethan Teekah is an Associate Editor at EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, where he leads coverage of Asia.
Ethan Teekah
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
‱History

Japan’s imperial monarchy is generally regarded as the world’s oldest surviving monarchy. Japan is also the only country today whose monarch is formally styled emperor. Under Japan’s 1947 constitution, the emperor is the “symbol of the State and of the unity of the People,” performing ceremonial and constitutional duties but exercising no independent powers of government. The office, sometimes referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne, is held by Naruhito, who became Japan’s 126th emperor according...

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