2016-11-10 Thu

Hirohito was Japan's longest-reigning emperor, holding the throne from 1926 to 1989, was enthroned today on 10th November 1928.

The level of his involvement with Japan's military during World War II has remained debatable, though he announced the country's surrender to the Allied Forces in 1945. After the war, the new constitution drafted by the United States transformed Japan into a constitutional monarchy so that sovereignty lay with the people instead of the emperor. Hirohito died in Tokyo on January 7, 1989. His son, Akihito, succeeded him.

Outside Japan, he was better known by his personal name Hirohito, but in Japan, he is now referred to by the name given as Emperor “Sh?wa”. The word Sh?wa is the name of the era that corresponded with the Emperor's reign and was made the Emperor's own name upon his death.

Until his death, Hirohito remained an active figure in Japan, even after his divinity was revoked. He acted as head of state and played an important role in rebuilding Japan's image to the rest of the world. He also focused on his love of marine biology, a subject on which he wrote several books.

The coin of 100 yen in portrait was issued during his reign. Various countries other than Japan have also issued stamps of the illustrious ruler, Hirohito such as Ajman, Mongolia and many more.

On January 7, 1989, Hirohito died of cancer at the place of his birth: Aoyama Palace in Tokyo.