The Japanese emperor during World War II was Emperor Hirohito, who reigned from 1926 to 1989. Although he was seen as a symbol of the Japanese state, Hirohito's role during the war is complex: he maintained a ceremonial status while military leaders exercised significant control over the government. Hirohito was controversial and debated regarding his responsibility for wartime actions. After Japan's surrender, he was allowed to remain on the throne, which helped preserve the imperial institution in the post-war period and facilitated Japan's recovery and subsequent transformation into a democratic society.