Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Shōwa, was the 124th Emperor of Japan and reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989. He was one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world, his 62-year reign was the longest of all Japanese emperors. Hirohito was born on April 29, 1901 in Tokyo, the grandson of Emperor Meiji. He spent his childhood away from the imperial court, but returned after the death of his guardian. In his upbringing, great emphasis was placed on physical health, frugality and a sense of duty. His early military assignments and upbringing influenced his views on Japan's divine imperial heritage and its role in modernization and diplomacy. After the accession of his father, Emperor Taishō, in 1912, Hirohito became the heir to the throne. He was proclaimed Crown Prince in 1916, and his visit to Western Europe in 1921 was a major step in Japan's international diplomacy. His experiences, especially in Great Britain and meetings with European monarchs, influenced his understanding of international relations and Japan's position on the global stage. In 1921, due to his father's ill health, Hirohito became regent and led Japan through the signing of major treaties, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and through an assassination attempt. His marriage to Princess Nagako Kuni in January 1924 further strengthened his position in the royal family and Japanese society. They had seven children: Shigeko, Sachiko, Kazuko, Atsuko, Akihito, Masahito and Takako. After his father's death in December 1926, Hirohito became Emperor of Japan at the age of 25. During his reign, Japan went through political totalitarianism, ultra-nationalism and state-centrism, which led to the invasion of China in 1937, and was part of the Great Depression and World War II. Defeat in the Second World War brought about radical changes in Japan. For the first and last time in its history, Japan was subjected to a foreign power, an American-led occupation that lasted six years and eight months. Radical democratic reforms were implemented during all Allied occupations. As a result, the emperor's divine status formally ended and Japan was transformed from a mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary liberal democracy. In 1952, with the Treaty of San Francisco, Japan became a sovereign state again. The post-war Shōwa era was characterized by Japan's economic miracle. After Hirohito's death, on January 7, 1989, Crown Prince Akihito succeeded him on the throne, marking the beginning of the Heisei era.

The coinage of Emperor Shōwa of Japan from 1926 to 1989 was as follows: In 1926, when Emperor Hirohito ascended the throne, the Japanese currency was the yen, which was based on gold, and 1 yen was equal to 0.75 grams of gold. Yen coins were minted in silver, nickel, copper and bronze and were decorated with the emperor's portrait or coat of arms. In 1931, as a result of the Great Depression, Japan abandoned the gold standard and the yen depreciated. The government issued new coins made of aluminum, iron, zinc, and other cheaper metals. The coins bore the name of the emperor, the year of issue and the face value. In 1937, when Japan went to war with China, the government introduced military money, which was used in the occupied territories. Military money was paper money issued by the Japanese military and had no collateral. Military money featured the seal of the emperor, the name of the issuing unit, and the face value. In 1941, when Japan entered World War II, the government issued more military money that was used in the Pacific. The value of military money continued to decline and by the end of the war it was worthless. The military money featured the portrait of the emperor, the year of issue and the face value. In 1945, when Japan capitulated, the government issued new money called the B-series yen. The B-series yen was paper money controlled by the American occupation authorities, and 1 yen was equal to 360 US dollars. The B-series yen featured the emperor's coat of arms, the year of issue and the face value. In 1949, in order to restore the economy, the government issued a new currency called the Y-series yen. The Y-series yen were paper money issued by the Bank of Japan, with 1 yen equal to 360 US dollars. The Y-series yen featured motifs of Japan's cultural and natural heritage, the year of issue, and the face value. In 1951, as a result of the Korean War, the yen greatly appreciated, and the government issued new coins, which were made of silver, nickel, copper and were made of bronze. The coins featured the emperor's coat of arms, the year of issue and the face value. In 1954, in order to promote economic growth, the government issued a new currency called the Z-series yen. The Z-series yen were paper money issued by the Bank of Japan, with 1 yen equal to 360 US dollars. The Z-series yen featured Japanese historical and cultural figures, the year of issue, and the denomination. In 1971, when the United States left the gold standard, the yen was floated and the government issued new coins made of aluminum, they were made of copper, nickel and iron. The coins featured the emperor's coat of arms, the year of issue and the face value. In 1984, due to the strengthening of the yen, the government issued a new currency called the D-series yen. The D-series yen were paper money issued by the Bank of Japan, with 1 yen equal to 240 US dollars. The D-series yen featured Japanese scientific and artistic creators, the year of issue, and the face value.