Who's Who in the Japanese Royal Family
The history of the Japanese Imperial Family stretches back thousands of years.
For many of us in the U.S., the words "royal family" automatically conjure images of the Buckingham Palace balcony, but the Brits are far from the only ones to boast a royal family with a long heritage and history—not to mention a dash of pomp and circumstance. In fact, the imperial house of Japan claims the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, tracing their history back to 600 BC. (Though some of those early emperors are shrouded in myth, there is evidence of the family's reign as far back as 500 AD.)
Here, we take a look at some of the must-know names from the modern imperial family.
Emperor Naruhito
The current Emperor of Japan, Naruhito is the eldest son of former Emperor Akhito and his wife former Empress Michiko. Seen here at the opening of a session of Japan's parliament in 2020, he has served as the official head of Japan's imperial family since 2019.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
Naruhito's wife Empress Masako, worked in a diplomatic role before their marriage and was educated at Oxford and Harvard.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
When the couple married in June 1993, Masako became only the second commoner in Japanese history to marry the first in line to the throne (the first being her mother-in-law Michiko).
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
In 2019, Naruhito's father, then-Emperor Akihito, chose to abdicate, leaving his eldest son as the 126th emperor to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. He and Masako were officially enthroned at a formal ceremony in Tokyo in October 2019.
Princess Aiko
The only child of the Emperor and Empress, 21 year old Aiko is currently a student of Japanese literature at Gakushuin University. Unlike the British line of succession, Japanese law dictates that she is not in line for the throne, as only men in the direct male line of succession are allowed to reign as monarch.
Crown Prince Akishino
Also known as Crown Prince Fumihito, the Emperor's younger brother was officially declared the Crown Prince (making him the official first in line for the throne) in a ceremony in November 2020.
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko
Though Crown Princess Kiko married Crown Prince Akishino in 1990, she actually spent much of her youth outside of Japan. She lived in Philadelphia for six years as a child while her father attended the University of Pennsylvania, and later moved with her family to Vienna. Her global experiences positioned her well for her life as a working royal, and she often travels with her husband for official duties abroad.
Former Princess Mako and Princess Kako
The Crown Prince and Princess have three children together. Their oldest daughters, Mako and Kako, attended the enthronement ceremony of their uncle, Emperor Naruhito, in 2019.
Former Princess Mako and Kei Komuro
Mako made news in 2017 when she announced her engagement to commoner Kei Komuro. The couple postponed their wedding until October 2021, at which time she renounced her royal title due to a law that forbids women in the royal family from marrying outside of the nobility. The couple then moved to New York City where Kei practices law.
More: Japan's Princess Mako Diagnosed with PTSD Ahead of Her Wedding
Princess Kako
Like other members of her family, Kako is a working royal and has completed official duties abroad, including this official trip to Austria and Hungary in 2019.
Prince Hisahito
The son and youngest child of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, 16 year old Hisahito is second in line to the throne after his father. Here he is in 2019 practicing archery on a trip to Thimphu, Bhutan. Due to the rules governing the Japanese line of succession, he is also currently the last remaining heir to the throne.
Sayako Kuroda
Though she is no longer a royal, Sayako Kuroda was born a princess. The only daughter of former Emperor Akihiko and former Empress Michiko (and sister to current Emperor Naruhito) she gave up her royal status in 2005 to marry commoner Yoshiki Kuroda.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko
The former emperor and empress stepped back in 2019 due to Akihiko's ill health; abdicating to let their son, Naruhito, claim the throne. The decision made Akihito the first Japanese emperor in over 200 years to abdicate.
Emperor Hirohito and the Imperial Family
Akihito was the eldest of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako's seven children.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.
Watch Next
Princess Diana's Belonging Are Heading to Auction
Why Did Andrew Say He Went to a Pizza Express?
All the Tiaras at the Dutch State Dinner
William Is Handed Get Well Cards for Kate
