Hirohito

Hirohito (b. 29 Apr. 1904, d. 7 Jan. 1989). 124th Emperor of Japan 1926–89 After World War II, the question of responsibility for Japan's decision to attack its neighbours was to remain a source of controversy for Emperor Hirohito and much attention has focused on the early years of his reign. After attending the peers' school, Gakushûin, he took a tour of Europe in 1921 to see for himself the role of constitutional monarchy in Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, and Italy. In the same year Hirohito was appointed regent because of the illness of his father. Known as the Shôwa Emperor, the extent to which Hirohito could exercise influence over political developments in Japan at this time is a matter of debate, although it seems clear that the removal of his support for Tanaka Giichi's Cabinet was instrumental in its downfall. Moreover, his forthright opposition to the coup attempted by army officers in the 26 February Incident (1936) did much to facilitate its suppression. Nevertheless, the imperial house has provided evidence that Emperor Hirohito was unable to block Japanese aggression until he insisted on the surrender in August 1945. After the surrender, Hirohito became integral to the US occupation's successful programme for the democratization of Japan. Crucial to this process was his renunciation of divinity in his New Year radio message of 1946. Under the new Japanese constitution, the Emperor's sovereignty was made subject to that of the people. In private life Hirohito avoided much controversy, devoting much of his time to marine biology.