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Born on Dec 23, 1933, formally enthroned on Nov 12, 1990, HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan is the 125th emperor according to the traditional order of succession. He is the eldest son and the fifth child of the Emperor Hirohito and the Empress Kojun (Nagako). He is also the world's only reigning emperor and retains his throne as a symbol of national unity.
Emperor Akihito gradated with a BA in education from Kakushuin University. His Imperial Majesty and Empress Michiko, the first commoner to marry into the imperial family, have three children: HIH Crown Prince Naruhito, HIH Prince Akishino and Sayako Kuroda, formerly HIH Princess Sayako.
Since succeeding to the throne, Emperor Akihito has made an effort to bring the imperial family closer to the Japanese people. At the same time, he has been attempting to strike a balance between modern trends and the demands of his position. He maintains Shinto ceremonies and other traditions, while, at the same time, he writes his own speeches on a laptop computer.
The Emperor is also interested in icthyology and has worked on many theses on the topic. The Emperor presented His Majesty King Bhumibol 50 Tilapia nilotica fish, a breed he believed would be of nutritional value in 1964. The fish was later developed into "plaa nil" to be distributed to farmers by the Department of Fisheries initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol. The fish became favourite fish of Thais.
The Empress Michiko was born on Oct 20, 1934. Her Imperial Majesty graduated with a BA in English from Seisin University for women.
The Emperor and the Empress are interested in promoting the quality of life of the disabled, older persons, and children.
Emperor Akihito visited Thailand six times when he was the Crown Prince. After his ascension to the throne, he chose Thailand as the first country for a state visit in 1991. The Empress visited Thailand with the Emperor in 1964 and 1994.
Japan:Located in eastern Asia, an island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government.
Japan is among the most populous, and one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The population is close to 127,500,000. Although the Japanese economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, the country remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally.
Relations between Thailand and Japan go back more than 600 years, although the two countries established diplomatic ties on 26 September 1887. Japan is the largest foreign investor in Thailand, which remains one of Japan's major production bases. |
