# Hirohito

_Emperor of Japan from 1926 to 1989_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/hirohito
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Hirohito, also known by his posthumous name Emperor Shōwa, was Emperor of Japan from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989. He is the longest-reigning non-legendary emperor in Japanese history and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world. The Shōwa era that corresponded to his reign was initially characterized by heightened Japanese nationalism and militarism, developments which culminated in Japan's entry into World War II as an Axis power. After Japan's defeat in the war and under pressure from the victorious Allied powers, he renounced his divinity as Emperor via the Humanity Declaration and sanctioned a new Constitution for Japan based on parliamentary government and pacifism.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 29 April 1901 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Akasaka Estate ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P19))
- **Died:** 7 January 1989 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P570))
- **Place of death:** Fukiage Gyoen ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Japan; Empire of Japan ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P27))
- **Occupation:** military personnel; diplomat; marine biologist; zoologist; monarch; aristocrat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P106))
- **Education:** Gakushūin ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P69))
- **Spouse:** Kōjun ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P26))
- **Positions held:** Emperor of Japan (25 December 1926 – 7 January 1989); Governor-General of the Philippines ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece; Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Order of the White Eagle; Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, 1st class; Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum; Order of St. Andrew; Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Order of the Golden Kite; Order of the Most Holy Annunciation; Order of the Rajamitrabhorn; Order of the Garter; Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei; Royal Order of the Seraphim; Order of the Elephant; Order of Ojaswi Rajanya ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479#P166))

## Questions

**When was Hirohito born?**  
Hirohito was born on 29 April 1901 in Akasaka Estate.

**What positions has Hirohito held?**  
Positions held by Hirohito include: Emperor of Japan (1926–1989); Governor-General of the Philippines.

**Where did Hirohito study?**  
Hirohito was educated at Gakushūin.

## Related

- [Akihito](https://diginpl.com/people/akihito)
- [Emperor Go-Sanjō](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-go-sanjo)
- [Empress Meishō](https://diginpl.com/people/empress-meisho)
- [Emperor Go-Komatsu](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-go-komatsu)
- [Emperor Taishō](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-taisho)
- [Emperor Meiji](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-meiji)
- [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://diginpl.com/people/franklin-d-roosevelt)
- [Harry S. Truman](https://diginpl.com/people/harry-s-truman)
- [Theodore Roosevelt](https://diginpl.com/people/theodore-roosevelt)
- [Woodrow Wilson](https://diginpl.com/people/woodrow-wilson)
- [Herbert Hoover](https://diginpl.com/people/herbert-hoover)
- [William Howard Taft](https://diginpl.com/people/william-howard-taft)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Hirohito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): हिरोहितो](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8B) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q34479](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34479) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Hirohito in dress uniform.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hirohito_in_dress_uniform.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Hirohito, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Hirohito in dress uniform.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Hirohito". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/hirohito. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
