Man who would be King

Each emperor's reign is marked by the name of that era. Reiwa was adopted from an 8th century anthology of classic poetry and means "beautiful harmony". After Japan's defeat in World War II, the role of the emperor has changed significantly when Naruhito's grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, sat on the throne. Once considered the living embodiment of gods, the Emperor has become a largely symbolic figure. Unlike other monarchs, Naruhito is a symbol of the state rather than the Head of State, and the Japanese emperor wields no political power.