Here's a look at the life of Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Personal: Birth date: December 23, 1933

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Birth name: Tsugunomiya Akihito

Father: Emperor Hirohito

Mother: Empress Nagako Kuni

Marriage: Michiko Shoda (April 10, 1959 - present)

Children: Nori no miya Sayako Naishinnô, Princess Sayako (April 8, 1969) (aka Princess Nori); Akishino no miya Fumihito Shinnô, Prince Akishino (November 30, 1965); Hiro no miya Naruhito Shinnô, Crown Prince Naruhito (February 23, 1960)

Education: private tutors, Gakushuin "Peers School" (1940 - 1952), Gakushuin University (1952 - 1956 no degree awarded)

Other Facts: The Chrysanthemum Throne is the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world. Records show the imperial line to be an unbroken one for fourteen centuries. Akihito is the 125th Emperor of Japan, a direct descendant of Japan's first emperor Jimmu, circa 660 BC.

He is the world's only monarch with the title Emperor.

Akihito is the fifth child and first son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. Akihito means shining pinnacle of virtue, Tsugunomiya means prince of the august succession and enlightened benevolence means.

He is the first Japanese crown prince to marry a commoner.

2,500 dignitaries from 158 countries attended the Sokui-no-Rei enthronement ceremony. The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes and the event cost the Japanese people about $80 million (Y10 billion).

Timeline: 1936 or 1937 - Is separated from his parents, in accordance with Japanese custom at the time, raised and educated by chamberlains and tutors.

1950 - The Imperial Household Agency begins compiling a list of suitable candidates for marriage. By 1958 the list has about 800 names.

1952 - Officially invested with the title Kotaishi Denka, Crown Prince, and declared the rightful heir to the throne.

1953 - Represents Japan at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and visits thirteen other countries in Europe and North America.

January 7, 1989 - Accepts possession of the sacred sword, beads and mirror of the Sun-Goddess Amaterasu Omikami, upon the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.

May 24, 1990 - In Tokyo during a banquet for visiting South Korean President Roh Tae Woo, Akihito's "deepest regret" for the 35-year occupation of Korea, (1910 -1945) is expressed.