Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan, was born in Tokyo as the eldest child of Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko during the reign of his grandfather Hirohito.

Naruhito was enrolled in the prestigious Gakushūin school system at the age of four, which is attended by many of Japan's elite families and narikin (nouveaux riches).

In August 1974, at the age of 14, Naruhito was sent to Melbourne, Australia, for a homestay. This experience was encouraged by his father, Crown Prince Akihito, who had a positive experience there the year before.

Naruhito graduated from Gakushuin University with a Bachelor of Letters degree in history in March 1982.

In July 1983, Naruhito undertook a three-month intensive English course before entering Merton College, Oxford University, where he studied until 1986.

Naruhito first met Masako Owada at a tea for Infanta Elena of Spain in November 1986, during her studies at the University of Tokyo. The prince was immediately captivated by her and arranged for them to meet several times over the next few weeks.

Upon his return to Japan, Naruhito enrolled once more in Gakushūin University to earn a Master of Humanities degree in history, successfully earning his degree in 1988.

Naruhito was awarded The Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan in 1989.

Naruhito was invested as the crown prince with the title Prince Hiro (浩宮, Hiro-no-miya) on 23 February 1991, after his father ascended the throne.

The Imperial Palace announced the engagement of Naruhito and Masako Owada on 19 January 1993, after Naruhito proposed to her three times.

The wedding of Naruhito and Masako Owada took place on 9 June 1993 at the Imperial Shinto Hall in Tokyo before 800 invited guests, including many of Europe's heads of state and royalty.

Naruhito has been an honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society since 1994.

Naruhito served as a patron of the 1998 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics.

Naruhito was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria in 1999.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's daughter, Aiko, Princess Toshi, was born on 1 December 2001 at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace.

In March 2003, Naruhito delivered a speech titled 'Waterways Connecting Kyoto and Local Regions' at the opening ceremony of the Third World Water Forum, where he served as honorary president.

Naruhito was awarded the Knight of the Order of the Elephant in 2004.

In March 2006, Naruhito gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony for the Fourth World Water Forum, focusing on 'Edo and Water Transport' during his visit to Mexico.

In December 2007, Naruhito delivered a commemorative talk at the opening ceremony for the First Asia-Pacific Water Summit, emphasizing 'Humans and Water: From Japan to the Asia-Pacific Region'.

For two weeks in 2012, Naruhito temporarily took charge of his father's duties while the Emperor underwent and recovered from heart bypass surgery.

On 1 December 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Emperor Akihito would abdicate on 30 April 2019, and that Naruhito would become the 126th Emperor of Japan as of 1 May 2019.

Naruhito acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era, following the abdication of his father, Akihito, and becoming the 126th monarch according to Japan's traditional order of succession.

Naruhito's enthronement ceremony took place on 22 October 2019, where he was duly enthroned in an ancient-style proclamation ceremony.

On 23 July 2021, Naruhito opened the 2020 Summer Olympics hosted in Tokyo, just as his grandfather, Emperor Shōwa, had done in 1964.

Naruhito and Masako's first trip abroad as emperor and empress took place in September 2022, to the United Kingdom to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Naruhito and Masako visited Indonesia in June 2023, their first state visit.