Japanese Emperor abdication bill approved

Japan’s government has approved a bill to allow Emperor Akihito to hand over the Chrysanthemum Throne to Crown Prince Naruhito in what would be the country's first abdication in 200 years
Source: Japanese Imperial Household


Imperial Standard
1 2 3 Place in line of succession

Current emperor: Akihito acceded to throne in 1989. He is 125th emperor in imperial line believed to be unbroken for 2,600 years

Emperor Hirohito
1901-1989
Empress Nagako
1903-2000

Emperor Akihito
b1933
Empress Michiko
b1934


Prince Masahito
b1935-
Princess Hanako
b1940

Crown Prince Naruhito
b1960
Princess Masako
b1963


Prince Akishino
b1965
Princess Kiko
b1966

Princess Sayako*
b1969

Princess Aiko
b2001
Princess Mako**
b1991
Princess Kako
b1994
Prince Hisahito
b2006

*Left Imperial Family in 2005 on marriage to commoner
**Expected to leave family next year on marriage to commoner

Pictures: Getty Images, Associated Press, Newscom, U.S. National Archives