The following is a photo chronology of major events related to Crown Prince Naruhito.
Feb. 23, 1960 -- Prince Hiro, later Crown Prince Naruhito, born as first son of Emperor Akihito.
April 1978 -- Enters Gakushuin University.
April 1982 -- Enters graduate school of Gakushuin University.
June 1983 - October 1985 -- Stays in Britain for study at Merton College, University of Oxford.
Oct. 18, 1986 -- Meets then-diplomat Masako Owada at reception for Princess Elena of Spain.
March 1987 -- Visits Nepal, where he developed interest in issues surrounding water.
March 1988 -- Completes first part of doctorate.
Jan. 7, 1989 -- Moves up to first in line to throne upon death of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously called Emperor Showa.
June 9, 1993 -- Marries Masako Owada.
November 1994 -- Travels to four Middle East countries with Crown Princess Masako, first overseas trip by the couple.
February 1995 -- Visits areas affected by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January.
Dec. 1, 2001 -- Daughter, Princess Aiko, is born.
[Photo courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency]
Dec. 12, 2003 -- The Imperial Household Agency announces Crown Princess Masako will refrain from taking part in official duties due to stress-induced poor health.
May 10, 2004 -- Tells a press conference there were developments that were regarded as denying Crown Princess Masako a career and going against her personality.
July 30 -- The agency says Crown Princess Masako is suffering from adjustment disorder.
August 2006 -- Stays in the Netherlands with his family for a two-week sojourn aimed at helping Crown Princess Masako recover from a stress-related illness.
Nov. 1, 2007 -- Becomes honorary president of the U.N. Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.
April, 2008 -- Princess Aiko enters Gakushuin Primary School.
March 5, 2010 -- The agency announces Princess Aiko has been unable to attend classes due to anxiety.
June 2011 -- Visits Miyagi Prefecture hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March.
March 2013 -- Gives keynote speech at a special U.N. session on water and disasters at headquarters of the global body in New York.
Aug. 8, 2016 -- Emperor Akihito indicates wish to relinquish throne in rare video message.
June 9, 2017 -- Special legislation enacted to enable Emperor Akihito to abdicate.
Dec. 1 -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces plan to set the abdication date on April 30, 2019, with the crown prince ascending to the throne the following day.
Dec. 8 -- The Abe Cabinet formally approves the abdication date.
June 9, 2018 -- Celebrates 25th wedding anniversary.
[Photo courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency]
Feb. 23, 2019 -- Turns 59.
