# Akihito - Emperor; now Emperor Emeritus

URL: https://history-japan.com/rulers/akihito
Reign: 1989 – 2019
Dynasty: Imperial House of Japan
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihito

Akihito reigned during the Heisei era and abdicated on 30 April 2019. His public role emphasized remembrance, reconciliation and visits to disaster-stricken communities.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Takeshita Noboru](https://history-japan.com/rulers/takeshita-noboru)
- Succeeded by: [Heisei period](https://history-japan.com/rulers/heisei-period)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1989 - [Akihito accedes and Heisei begins](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1989-akihito-accedes-and-heisei-begins)
- 1995 - [Great Hanshin earthquake](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1995-great-hanshin-earthquake)
- 1995 - [Tokyo subway sarin attack](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1995-tokyo-subway-sarin-attack)
- 2011 - [Tōhoku earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima disaster](https://history-japan.com/timeline/2011-tohoku-earthquake-tsunami-and-fukushima-disaster)
- 2019 - [Naruhito accedes to the throne](https://history-japan.com/timeline/2019-naruhito-accedes-to-the-throne)