ROYAL WEDDINGS PRINCESS MICHIKO Empress Michiko born Michiko Shōda in Tokyo, is the Empress consort of Japan as the wife of Emperor Akihito, reigning from 7 January 1989. Michiko married Crown Prince Akihito and became the Crown Princess of Japan until the death of Emperor Hirohito. She was the first commoner to marry into the Japanese Imperial Family. <<=>> 3 of 16