IN PHOTOS: Japanese Emperor Akihito's journey with the people

As the Heisei era under Emperor Akihito's reign draws to a close in Japan, here is a collection of photos highlighting the major events in his and Empress Michiko's lives.Prince Akihito was born in December 1933 as the eldest son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako. The following year, Michiko Shoda was born in October as the eldest daughter of Hidesaburo Shoda, who later became chairman of flour milling company Nisshin Seifun Group Inc., and his wife Fumiko.