Akihito, Emperor Heisei

Akihito (明仁?, born 23 December 1933) is the reigning Emperor of Japan (天皇 tennō?), the 125th Emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. The Era of Akihito's reign bears the name "Heisei" (平成), and according to custom he will be renamed "Emperor Heisei". Akihito ascended the throne in 1989 upon the death of his father, Hirohito, Emperor Showa.

During the U.S. occupation of Japan after World War II, Akihito received an education in the English language and Western customs. Like his father, Akihito has a degree in marine biology, and has published several papers.

Akihito in Joe Steele
Despite his youth, Akihito was proclaimed Emperor of the Constitutional Monarchy of Japan (informally South Japan) by the United States after the death of his father in Spring, 1946. In truth, he was directed by U.S. general Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Akihito's subjects resented this state of affairs. Flyers depicting Akihito as a ventriloquist's dummy in Eisenhower's lap were posted by Japanese citizens, despite their illegality.