Emperor Shōwa
"Hirohito - in dress uniform" (1935)
Hirohito was the 124th emperor of Japan. He was born on 29 April 1901 in Tokyo and died on January 7, 1989, also in Tokyo. He reigned during the Shōwa (meaning “Bright Peace” or “Enlightened Harmony”) period and was posthumously named Emperor Shōwa. Hirohito was significant to the events of the World War II. Hirohito became emperor of Japan on December 25, 1926, and though the Meiji Constitution allowed for concentrated authority on the emperor, he generally acquiesced to his advisors and ministers. His involvement with Japan’s military expansionism has been debated among historians. Some have commented that he was averse to declaring war on the United States, but felt forced by dominant militarists in the government. Other historians claim he was actively planning the expansionism, such as the invasion of Manchuria. It was during his reign, after the defeat of Japan, that the country became a constitutional monarchy. He also broke many traditions, from challenging the divine status of the emperor to being the first reigning Japanese monarch to travel abroad. After his death, the Heisei period was ushered in and his son Akihito became the new emperor.
Image link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002720296/