THE world’s oldest hereditary monarchy is not the British one. At 1,200 years it is a mere babe-in-arms compared to the Japanese imperial family. Traditionalists say Akihito, the current emperor (pictured seated, third from left), can trace his roots back 2,600 years to Emperor Jimmu (descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu).

THE world’s oldest hereditary monarchy is not the British one. At 1,200 years it is a mere babe-in-arms compared to the Japanese imperial family. Traditionalists say Akihito, the current emperor (pictured seated, third from left), can trace his roots back 2,600 years to Emperor Jimmu (descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu).