As Emperor Akihito prepares to step down, all eyes are turning towards his son and successor, Crown Prince Naruhito. Here, we reflect on his relatively down-to-earth upbringing, the freedom he felt while living in England, and whether his wife, who has battled for years to adjust to palace life, is ready to take on the role of empress.
After almost three decades as the ceremonial figurehead of Japan, Emperor Akihito has been given permission to step down. The 83-year-old, who has undergone heart surgery and had treatment for prostate cancer, no longer feels he can carry out his duties properly. A one-off bill has been passed by the government allowing him to renounce the throne. It will be Japan's first abdication in more than two centuries, with the baton being passed on to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The exact date of the succession has yet to be confirmed, though reports have suggested it will take place on January 1, 2019. Naruhito will become the 126th emperor in the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, a line dating back to the 5th century. So,what do we know about the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne? Here’s a look at the life and times of the future emperor.
THE NARU-CHAN CONSTITUTION
The eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Naruhito was born in a makeshift hospital at the palace on February 23, 1960. His mother – the first commoner to marry into the imperial family – decided to raise Naruhito and his siblings, Prince Akishino and Sayako Kuroda, herself, even breastfeeding them. While that may not sound noteworthy, at the time it was considered significant as the everyday care of royal children had previously been the duty of wet nurses and maids.When his parents were away Naruhito would be left with nannies who were given written instructions by Michiko on how to take care of him. He was allowed no more than one toy at a time and had to be hugged at least once a day. This list of rules was turned into a best-selling book titled Naru-chan Kenpo (The Naruhito Constitution) that’s still popular today.
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The Life And Love Of Japan's New Emperor
As Emperor Akihito prepares to step down, all eyes are turning towards his son and successor, Crown Prince Naruhito. Here, we reflect on his relatively down-to-earth upbringing, the freedom he felt while living in England, and whether his wife, who has battled for years to adjust to palace life, is ready to take on the role of empress.
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Seeking White Sand
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