was the 124th
Emperor of Japan according to the
traditional order of succession, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death on January 7, 1989. He was succeeded by his eldest son,
Emperor Akihito, upon his death. Although better known outside Japan by his personal name , in Japan, he is now referred to primarily by his
posthumous name Emperor Shōwa. The word
Shōwa is the
name of the era that corresponded with the Emperor's reign, and was made the Emperor's own name upon his death. The name Hirohito (裕仁) means "abundant benevolence".