Japan's former Emperor Akihito faces hospitalization, what set this modern monarch's love life apart from 2000 years of conventional royal relationships?
Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan, born in 1933, has witnessed many historic milestones during his life, including growing up during World War II and being tutored in English by an American librarian during the Allied occupation. As the oldest living member of the Imperial household, Akihito has made significant contributions to Japan, particularly in the field of marine biology and fish farming.
In recent years, however, Akihito has been managing chronic heart conditions. In May 2023, he was diagnosed with silent myocardial ischemia, a condition characterised by reduced blood flow to the heart without noticeable symptoms. This diagnosis was followed by the diagnosis of right heart failure linked to tricuspid valve insufficiency earlier in 2022. To manage these conditions, Akihito has been under medication focused on improving blood flow to the heart and reducing strain on his cardiac function while maintaining a lifestyle of low-impact exercise and restricted fluid intake.
In July 2023, Akihito was admitted to Tokyo Hospital for doctors to measure his electrocardiogram as a precaution. More recent updates from 2025 reveal that in July 2025, Akihito, at age 91, was hospitalized to initiate a new oral treatment due to insufficient improvement from prior medications. This hospitalization aimed to carefully adjust his heart medication dosages to better alleviate the burden on his heart, with ongoing monitoring through electrocardiograms and other examinations. He was discharged after a few days back to his residence, continuing treatment on an outpatient basis.
Despite these health challenges, Akihito remains passionate about marine biology and has written extensively on gobles and the Hydrozoa. Since ceding power to his son, Naruhito, in 2019, Akihito and Empress Michiko have moved to the Takanawa Residence and enjoy morning and evening walks and trips to the imperial biology institute.
Akihito's relationship with Empress Michiko, often dubbed 'the romance of the tennis court' and branded a real-life fairy tale by the media, was initially viewed with disdain by the Japanese public due to her low-class status and Catholic upbringing. Their wedding in 1959 was the first televised wedding for the Imperial family, with approximately 15 million people tuning in to watch. King Baudouin of Belgium negotiated with Emperor Showa, allowing Akihito and Empress Michiko to marry, and King Baudouin personally delivered Akihito's messages to Michiko during their courtship.
As Emperor, Akihito made formal visits to every one of the nation's 47 prefectures and a majority of the more remote islands, cementing his status as a beloved figure in Japanese society. Akihito is also credited with popularizing the Nile tilapia in Thailand, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej wrote to him asking for fish that could solve the nation's malnutrition problem in 1965. More recently, Akihito has discovered two new species of goby fish.
Through his tireless work in marine biology, his dedication to his country, and his unwavering commitment to his family, Emperor Emeritus Akihito continues to make a significant impact on Japan and the world, despite his health challenges.
- Emperor Emeritus Akihito's life has seen him witness historical milestones, such as growing up during World War II and being tutored in English.
- Akihito has made significant contributions to Japan, particularly in the field of marine biology and fish farming.
- In recent years, Akihito has been managing chronic heart conditions, including silent myocardial ischemia and right heart failure.
- To manage these conditions, Akihito has been under medication focused on improving blood flow to his heart and reducing strain on his cardiac function.
- Akihito maintains a lifestyle of low-impact exercise and restricted fluid intake to manage his heart conditions.
- In July 2023, Akihito was admitted to Tokyo Hospital for doctors to measure his electrocardiogram as a precaution.
- In July 2025, Akihito was hospitalized to initiate a new oral treatment due to insufficient improvement from prior medications.
- Akihito's health challenges haven't dimmed his passion for marine biology, as he continues to write extensively on gobles and the Hydrozoa.
- Since ceding power to his son, Naruhito, in 2019, Akihito and Empress Michiko have moved to the Takanawa Residence.
- Akihito and Empress Michiko's relationship, often described as 'the romance of the tennis court', was initially viewed with disdain by the Japanese public.
- As Emperor, Akihito made formal visits to every one of the nation's 47 prefectures and a majority of the remote islands.
- Akihito is credited with popularizing the Nile tilapia in Thailand, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej wrote to him asking for fish to solve malnutrition issues.
- More recently, Akihito has discovered two new species of goby fish.
- Through his tireless work in marine biology, his dedication to his country, and his unwavering commitment to his family, Emperor Emeritus Akihito continues to make a significant impact on Japan and the world.
- Despite his health challenges, Akihito remains a beloved figure in Japanese society.
