Emperor of Japan

Depending on the time and government structure, the Emperor of Japan has been principally a religious figure, a ceremonial head of state, or a head of state with major but hidden authority. Names are sometimes confusing; the Emperor has a personal name, but, a name is given to the reign, which may become the better-known posthumous name of the Emperor. For example, Mutsohito was the human emperor during what became called the Meiji Restoration, so Mutsohito is also called the Meiji Emperor in the Meiji Era. His grandson, Hirohito, is also called the Showa Emperor for his reign, ironically translated as "heavenly peace". "Meiji emperor" is used in practice but "Hirohito" is better known.

The theoretical authority of the emperor, especially from 1868 to 1945, has been controversial, as in the organ theory of government. Some Emperors, especially Hirohito, appear to have taken a significant behind-the-scenes operational role. Akihito and his descendants, however, are purely ceremonial.

Controlling foreign and military policy, therefore, is most significant with Hirohito and Mutsihito; Yoshihito was ill and could take little role. The Japanese concept is very different than the western one of civilian control of the military, as that implies the legitimacy of control deriving from the democratic consent of the governed.

Emperors after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Personal name	Life	Date of rule	Reign name
Mutsohito	1852-1912	1867-1912	Meiji
Yasohito	1879-1926	1912-1926	Taisho
Hirohito	1901-1989	1926-1989	Showa
Akihito	b. 1933	1989-present	Heisei

Hirohito's authority

It had been the immediate postwar position of Hirohito that he opposed World War Two in the Pacific, but, "as a constitutional monarch under a constitutional government, I could not avoid approving the decision of the Tojo goverment at the time of approving hostilities...actually I was virtually a prisoner and helpless." Biographer Herbert Bix responded that these statements were "apt symbols of the secrecy, myth and gross misrepresentation that surrounded his entire life."