#15: Akihito and Michiko
Akihito and Michiko Shoda met in 1957 on a tennis court in Karuizawa. He was a prince, she came from a prominent business family, and the match raised more than a few eyebrows. Still, they married in 1959, with the ceremony broadcast nationwide and watched with fascination across Japan. Their bond grew into something grounded and visibly affectionate, as they raised their children closely and appeared together during national crises. For many, their marriage signaled a more open monarchy taking shape after World War II.
