(JA-49) Crown Prince Akihito

With the passing of his father, Emperor Hirohito, Crown Prince Akihito becomes the next emperor. Akihito was the first Japanese royal to be invited to a European royal wedding. He attended the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip as well as the Queen's coronation. With the crown prince came a new style of Japanese monarchy. They were much more adapted to western ways and culture. He was less somber and more open to western styles and culture. Of course, he did not openly denounce his own customs and culture, but he made a serious effort to endorse both for his country and become intrinsically more serious about accepting other cultures and people in society.