Informal picture of the Imperial family playing a board game (1950s). Crown Prince Akihito left, Empress Kojun centre, Emperor Hirohito right. Hirohito, the Showa Emperor ,(April 29, 1901 - January 7, 1989), was the 124th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to exclusively by his posthumous name Emperor Showa. At the start of his reign, Japan was one of the great world powers and one of the five permanent members of the council of the League of Nations. Emperor Hirohito headed Japan's imperial expansion, militarization, and involvement in World War II. After the war, he was not prosecuted, but remained emperor, though with significantly reduced power.