Naruhito is expected to succeed his father as the new Emperor of Japan on May 1, 2019.
Here are some facts that you might want to know about him:
- As a crowned prince, his title is Prince Hiro.
- He will become the 126th emperor of the world’s oldest monarchy.
- He will also become Japan’s first emperor who was born after World War 2 (Birthday: February 23, 1960).
- He is the first in about 200 years who will ascent the Japanese throne due to an abdication of a current living emperor.
- It was announced that he will reign over the Reiwa (令和) era.
- He proposed three times before his wife, Masako Owada, agreed to marry her.
- He and his wife have an only child, Aiko (Princess Toshi).
- He is interested in environmental issues related to water policy and water conservation.
- He enjoys jogging, hiking, and mountaineering in his spare time.
- His birthday was named “Mount Fuji Day” by Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures because of his reported love of the mountain.