The life of Japanese King Akihito in pictures

(Baonghean.vn) - At the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang and his wife, Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress will pay a State visit to Vietnam from February 28 to March 5, 2017. Let's review with Nghe An Newspaper the impressive images in his life.

Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, the son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. Photo: Getty

Emperor Akihito officially ascended the throne in 1989 and took the title Heisei. He is currently the world's 21st longest-reigning emperor. Photo: AFP.

Crown Prince Akihito poses with some of his classmates at the Gakushuin Imperial School in Tokyo around 1938. This is a prestigious school reserved for children of royal or noble descent. Photo: Getty

Akihito during a self-study session at the Imperial Palace in 1952. He never received a university degree, although he studied at Gakushuin University. Photo: Getty

Queen Elizabeth II of Britain stands next to Crown Prince Akihito on the occasion of his visit to London for her coronation in 1953. Photo: Getty

In 1959, Crown Prince Akihito married Michiko Shoda, the daughter of a businessman. The whole country rejoiced at the traditional wedding ceremony held with a magnificent horse-drawn carriage. More than 500,000 people poured into the streets to celebrate the event. It was considered one of the happiest days in post-war Japan's history. Photo: Kyodo.

Emperor Akihito is the 125th heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne - the world's longest-running monarchy. The reason it is called the Chrysanthemum Throne is because the Japanese liken the chrysanthemum to the sun, and the image of the shining sun is a symbol of the Royal Family. Photo: Kyodo.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are welcomed to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2007. Photo: AFP.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko welcome US President Barack Obama at the Imperial Palace on November 14, 2009 during Obama's visit here. Photo: Getty.

Japanese Emperor Akihito raises his glass during the State Banquet to welcome President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang and his wife Mai Thi Hanh (March 2014)

Japan's Emperor and Empress wave to the crowd at a New Year's ceremony in January 2012.

According to the Japanese Constitution, the Emperor is “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people.” He owes his position to “the will of the people, who is truly supreme.” Photo: Kyodo.

Japanese Emperor Akihito talks with children at Yakumo Kindergarten in Meguro, Tokyo, in May 2007.

Every year, following the example of his father, Emperor Showa, who initiated the practice in 1927, Emperor Akihito personally plants and harvests rice in the fields right in the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Minamisanriku city, Miyagi province after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Photo: Reuters.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko with other members of the Japanese Imperial Family. Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Machiko have three children: Crown Prince (eldest son) Naruhito, Crown Prince (second son) Akishino, and Imperial Princess (daughter) Nori (Sayako).

In August 2016, Emperor Akihito announced his wish to abdicate due to his age. This unprecedented move in Japanese history surprised most people. Due to health reasons, he expressed his wish to transfer the duties of the Emperor to a member of his family. Akihito's successor is his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, Photo: Getty.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)