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Last Updated:
2024-04-06 14:02:27

Hirohito

Emperor of Japan during World War II
Emperor of Japan during World War II

Hirohito, the 124th Emperor of Japan, reigned for 62 years. His role in World War II remains controversial, but he played a crucial part in Japan's postwar recovery and international reintegration. Hirohito renounced his divinity in 1946 under Allied pressure.

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Emperors Before Hirohito

One emperor preceded Hirohito as the Emperor of Japan.

1900-04-29
Hirohito's 86th Birthday

On April 29, 1900, Hirohito celebrated his 86th birthday.

1901-04-29
Birth of Hirohito

Hirohito, the Emperor of Japan, is born on April 29, 1901.

1916-10-31
Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation

Hirohito was appointed as a Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation by the Italian Royal Family on October 31, 1916.

1916-11-02
Hirohito proclaimed Crown Prince

On 2 November 1916, Hirohito was formally proclaimed crown prince and heir apparent. No investiture ceremony was required to confirm this status.

1918-01-17
Arranged Marriage of Hirohito

Princess Nagako is chosen as Hirohito's bride when she was 14 years old on January 17, 1918.

1921-03-03
Crown Prince Hirohito's overseas travel to Western Europe

From 3 March to 3 September 1921, Crown Prince Hirohito made official visits to the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Vatican City, and Malta. This marked his first visit to Western Europe, despite strong opposition in Japan.

1921-11-25
Assassination of Prime Minister Hara

An 18 year old ultranationalist assassinates Prime Minister Hara, leading to Hirohito becoming Prince Regent on November 25 of the same year.

1924-01-26
Marriage of Prince Hirohito to Princess Nagako Kuni

On 26 January 1924, Prince Hirohito married Princess Nagako Kuni, his distant cousin. They had a significant family with two sons and five daughters.

1925-01-30
Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri

On January 30, 1925, Thailand bestowed Hirohito with the Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri.

1926-12-25
Reign of Emperor Hirohito

Hirohito became the 124th Emperor of Japan on December 25, 1926, and reigned until his death in 1989. He was known as Emperor Showa in Japan, and his era name corresponded to the Showa era.

1928-10-06
Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece

On October 6, 1928, Spain appointed Hirohito as a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

1928-11-10
Coronation of Hirohito

Hirohito is formally crowned as the 124th Emperor of Japan at the Kyoto Imperial Palace on November 10, 1928.

1931-09-20
Approval for Troop Movements in Manchuria

On September 20, 1931, Hirohito gave retroactive approval for the movement of troops from Korea to occupy Manchuria, a significant event that contributed to the (Second) Sino-Japanese War.

1932-01-09
Sakuradamon Incident

On January 9, 1932, Hirohito narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when a Korean independence activist threw a hand grenade at him in Tokyo. The incident highlighted the political tensions and challenges faced during Hirohito's early reign.

1933
Birth of Akihito, Hirohito's eldest son

In 1933, Hirohito and Empress Kōjun's eldest son and heir apparent, Akihito, was born. He later became the Emperor of Japan.

1935
Tatsukichi Minobe Advocates Constitutional Monarchy

In 1935, Tatsukichi Minobe proposed the theory that sovereignty resides in the state, with the Emperor being just an organ, causing controversy and leading to his resignation and ban of his books.

1937-02-11
Founder of the Order of Culture

Emperor Hirohito was the founder of the Order of Culture on February 11, 1937, which aimed to promote and honor significant contributions to Japanese culture.

1937-12-01
Hirohito's Instruction to Capture Nanking

Hirohito formally instructed General Iwane Matsui to capture and occupy the enemy capital of Nanking, believing it would lead to the surrender of Chiang Kai-Shek.

1938
Use of Toxic Gas in Invasion of Wuhan

Hirohito authorized the use of toxic gas on 375 separate occasions during the invasion of Wuhan, despite international condemnation.

1940-09-27
Japan's Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy

Under Hirohito's leadership, Japan became a contracting partner of the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, forming the Axis powers.

1941-09-05
Imperial Conference Decision on War

Prime Minister Konoe submitted a draft decision to Hirohito regarding the objectives for continuing the conquest of China and Southeast Asia. Hirohito questioned the army and navy chiefs about the chances of success in an open war with the West, expressing concerns about previous failures.

1941-10-08
Sugiyama's Report to the Emperor

General Sugiyama signed a detailed 47-page report outlining plans for the advance into Southeast Asia. This report was presented to Hirohito as war preparations continued.

1941-10-16
Resignation of Prime Minister Konoe

Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe resigned on 16 October due to increasing isolation and disagreements over war decisions. Konoe expressed his concerns about Hirohito gradually leaning towards war despite initial pacifist views.

1941-10-17
Appointment of Hideki Tojo as Prime Minister

On October 17, 1941, Hirohito elevated Hideki Tojo to the position of Prime Minister, a crucial decision that had far-reaching consequences during the war.

1941-11-02
Approval of War Decision

General Hideki Tōjō, along with other officials, reported to Emperor Hirohito that the review of eleven points had been in vain. Hirohito gave his consent to the war decision and asked for justification.

1941-11-08
Approval of Plan to Attack Pearl Harbor

On November 8th, 1941, Hirohito was informed of and gave approval to the plan to attack Pearl Harbor, a pivotal event that led to the United States' entry into World War II.

1941-11-20
Emperor's Request for Peaceful Impression

The Emperor of Japan requested to convey messages that Japan is committed to exhausting all measures for peace in the presence of the Foreign Minister.

1941-12-07
Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and drawing the United States into World War II.

1942-01-13
Emperor's Intervention in Military Operations

Emperor Hirohito intervened in military operations by pressing Sugiyama four times between January and February to increase troop strength and launch an attack on Bataan.

1942-02-09
Emperor's Order for Attack on Chungking

On February 9, 1942, the Emperor ordered the Army Chief of Staff to examine the possibilities for an attack on Chungking in China, leading to Operation Gogo.

1942-03-19
Emperor's Order for Examination of Attack Possibilities

On March 19, 1942, the Emperor ordered the Army Chief of Staff to examine the possibilities for an attack on Chungking in China.

1943
Emperor of Japan in 1943

Emperor Hirohito was the Emperor of Japan in 1943.

1945-02-14
Meeting with Advisors on Surrender

Emperor Hirohito called a meeting of his advisors on February 14, 1945, where Prince Fumimaro Konoe implored him to start discussing terms of surrender. However, Hirohito did not take the advice, maintaining hope for a negotiated peace through August.

1945-08-06
Hirohito learns of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima

Hirohito was informed about the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima approximately twelve hours after it occurred, marking a significant moment in the history of World War II.

1945-08-09
Second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki

The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, leading to further discussions within the Japanese government about the continuation of the war and the eventual surrender.

1945-08-12
Hirohito declares intention to accept the Potsdam Declaration

Hirohito publicly announced his willingness to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, signaling a pivotal moment towards the end of World War II.

1945-08-14
Kyūjō Incident

On the evening of August 14, a faction of the army opposed to surrender attempted a coup d'état by seizing the Imperial Palace. However, the coup failed, and Hirohito's surrender speech recording was hidden and preserved overnight.

1945-08-15
Hirohito's Radio Broadcast

In August 1945, facing defeat, Emperor Hirohito made a historic national radio broadcast announcing Japan's acceptance of the Allies' terms of surrender. This broke the precedent of imperial silence and marked the end of World War II for Japan.

1945-09-02
Victory in Japan Day

September 2nd is celebrated as Victory in Japan Day, marking the formal surrender of Japan in 1945. This event signified the end of World War II.

1945-09-27
Emperor Hirohito meets MacArthur

Emperor Hirohito visited General MacArthur at the United States' embassy for a secret meeting to discuss food and reconstruction efforts.

1946-01-01
Hirohito's Repudiation of Quasi-Divine Status

On January 1, 1946, Emperor Hirohito made a second historic broadcast repudiating the traditional quasi-divine status of Japan's emperors. This marked a significant shift in the perception of the imperial family and the emperor's role in Japan.

1946-02-27
Prince Mikasa Urges Hirohito to Abdicate

On February 27, 1946, Hirohito's youngest brother, Prince Mikasa, indirectly urged Hirohito to step down and accept responsibility for Japan's defeat. This event caused significant discussion and contemplation among the Japanese leadership.

1946-05-03
International Military Tribunal of the Far East begins trials

The International Military Tribunal of the Far East commences trials for war crimes committed during World War II in the Asia-Pacific region.

1946-11-03
Signing of New Japanese Constitution

On November 3rd, 1946, Hirohito signed the new Japanese constitution, which significantly reduced his powers and reshaped the country's political landscape.

1947-05-03
Emperor stripped of constitutional power

On May 3, 1947, the Emperor of Japan was stripped of his constitutional power, further diminishing the imperial authority in post-World War II Japan.

1952-04-28
U.S decides not to prosecute Hirohito

The United States makes the decision to not prosecute Emperor Hirohito of Japan for war crimes, a controversial move that sparks debate and discussion.

1960-04-19
Member of the Most Glorious Order of Ojaswi Rajanya

Nepal appointed Hirohito as a Member of the Most Glorious Order of Ojaswi Rajanya on April 19, 1960.

1966-09-28
Grand Collar of the Order of Sikatuna

The Philippines honored Hirohito with the Grand Collar of the Order of Sikatuna on September 28, 1966.

1968-04-08
Order of the Yugoslav Great Star

Yugoslavia awarded Hirohito with the Order of the Yugoslav Great Star on April 8, 1968.

1971-09-27
Hirohito visits Europe

On September 27, 1971, Emperor Hirohito of Japan embarked on a visit to Europe.

1972-06-17
Reversion of Okinawa to Japan

The Japanese government signed a treaty with the US in 1972 that authorized the return of Okinawa to Japanese control.

1975-09-08
Emperor's Decision to End the War

In a TV interview with NBC, USA, on September 8, 1975, Emperor Hirohito mentioned that he took the decision to end the war on his own as he believed that continuing the war would only bring more suffering to the people.

1975-09-20
Emperor's Involvement in War Decision-Making

During an interview with Newsweek, USA, on September 20, 1975, Emperor Hirohito stated that he could not reverse the cabinet decision to start the war and that it was consistent with the Imperial Constitution.

1975-09-22
Emperor's Knowledge of Pearl Harbor Attack

In a press conference with Foreign Correspondents on September 22, 1975, Emperor Hirohito mentioned that he received information about military operations in advance but only after detailed decisions were made by military commanders.

1975-09-30
Hirohito visits the United States

Emperor Hirohito of Japan made an official visit to the United States on September 30, 1975, enhancing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

1975-10-31
Emperor's War Responsibility

During a press conference in Japan after visiting the United States on October 31, 1975, Emperor Hirohito expressed deep regret for the war and discussed the concept of war responsibility.

1981-04-17
Press Conference with the Presidents of the Press

Emperor Hirohito participated in a press conference with the presidents of the press where he discussed his memories and decisions during significant events like the February 26 Incident and the end of World War II.

1982-03-09
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI), with Collar

Italy awarded Hirohito with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on March 9, 1982.

1983
Hirohito meeting with Ronald and Nancy Reagan

In 1983, Hirohito met with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, showcasing his role in forging diplomatic relationships with Western leaders and restoring Japan's image in the postwar era.

1987-09-22
Hirohito undergoes surgery for suspected cancer

On September 22, 1987, Hirohito, the Emperor of Japan, underwent surgery for suspected cancer.

1988-09-08
Hirohito's Major Surgical Operation

On September 8, 1988, Hirohito's condition declined, leading to a major surgical operation.

1988-09-19
Hirohito bedridden due to internal bleeding

On September 19, 1988, Hirohito, the Emperor of Japan, was bedridden due to internal bleeding.

1989-01-07
Death of Hirohito

Hirohito, the Showa Emperor of Japan, passed away, marking the end of his era and reign that spanned over six decades. His death preceded the economic downturn that Japan faced in the 1990s.

1989-01-08
Start of Heisei Era

On 8 January 1989, the Heisei era began in Japan following the end of the Shōwa era with the death of Emperor Hirohito.

1989-01-13
Determination of Emperor Hirohito's posthumous name

On January 13, Emperor Hirohito's definitive posthumous name, Shōwa Tennō, was determined.

1989-01-24
State Funeral of Emperor Hirohito

Hirohito's state funeral was held on 24 February 1989 at the Shinjuku Gyo-en. It was attended by a large number of world leaders.

1989-01-31
Burial of Emperor Hirohito

Emperor Hirohito was buried in the Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachiōji, alongside his father, Emperor Taishō.

1989-02-24
Hirohito's Funeral Ceremonies

Funeral ceremonies for Hirohito, the Emperor of Japan, are held on February 24, 1989. The ceremonies are attended by 163 heads of state and government, the late emperor's family, palace officials, and Shinto Priests.

1990-11-12
Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Akihito

Emperor Akihito, eldest son of Hirohito, was enthroned on 12 November 1990 at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, succeeding his father.

1996
Mitsuyoshi Himeta's Study on Three Alls Policy

Historian Mitsuyoshi Himeta published a study in 1996 revealing that the Three Alls policy, a Japanese scorched earth policy in China sanctioned by Emperor Hirohito, led to the deaths of over 2.7 million Chinese civilians.

End of the Timeline
Hirohito

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Hirohito

Emperor of Japan during World War II
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