# Emperor Shōwa - Emperor

URL: https://history-japan.com/rulers/emperor-showa
Reign: 1926 – 1989
Dynasty: Imperial House of Japan
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito

Hirohito reigned during Japan’s wars in Asia and the Pacific, defeat and occupation. Under the 1947 Constitution the emperor became the symbol of the state without powers of government.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Kato Takaaki](https://history-japan.com/rulers/kato-takaaki)
- Succeeded by: [Shōwa period](https://history-japan.com/rulers/showa-period)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1931 - [Manchurian Incident](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1931-manchurian-incident)
- 1937 - [Full-scale war with China](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1937-full-scale-war-with-china)
- 1941 - [Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and Allied territories](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1941-japan-attacks-pearl-harbor-and-allied-territories)
- 1945 - [Atomic bombings and Japan’s surrender](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1945-atomic-bombings-and-japan-s-surrender)
- 1947 - [Postwar Constitution takes effect](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1947-postwar-constitution-takes-effect)
- 1952 - [Occupation ends and sovereignty is restored](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1952-occupation-ends-and-sovereignty-is-restored)
- 1964 - [Tokyo Olympics and the Tōkaidō Shinkansen](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1964-tokyo-olympics-and-the-tokaido-shinkansen)
- 1972 - [Okinawa is returned to Japanese administration](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1972-okinawa-is-returned-to-japanese-administration)
- 1989 - [Akihito accedes and Heisei begins](https://history-japan.com/timeline/1989-akihito-accedes-and-heisei-begins)