“Japan's Emperor Akihito dead 2025” : Political figure killed by internet death hoax

By Jessica Simpson
Tokyo
Last updated on March 13, 2025

Japan's Emperor Akihito is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

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News of political figure Japan's Emperor Akihito’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2025 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 91-year-old political figure is alive and well.

UPDATE 13/03/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Japan's Emperor Akihito death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the political figure’s alleged demise gained traction on Tuesday after a ‘R.I.P. Japan's Emperor Akihito’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Japanese political figure’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday (March 11, 2025), our beloved political figure Japan's Emperor Akihito passed away. Japan's Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933 in Tokyo. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 91-year-old political figure was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Japanese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a political figure of Japan's Emperor Akihito's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (93%) of respondents think those Japan's Emperor Akihito death rumors are not funny anymore.

Japan's Emperor Akihito Death Hoax Dismissed Since Political figure Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Wednesday (March 12) the political figure's reps officially confirmed that Japan's Emperor Akihito is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved political figure. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.