Joya Hachi

Joya Hachi (하치, born 1980) is the Emperor of Metzetta. He ascended to the throne in 2022 following the death of his father, Emperor Rindo. He is the 170th monarch according to Metzetta's traditional order of succession. Hachi was born in Hanzeong as the second child (oldest son) of Rindo and Hikano during the reign of Empress Seunsi. He became the heir apparent following his father's ascension to the throne in 2001 and was formally invested as crown prince in 2002. He attended Ankae's Daekang University to study history, graduating in 2001. He married in 2004 and has three sons; Hui, Hakan and Gyongi. Hachi is an advocate for endangered plant species and plays the clarinet. His name roughly translates as "Man Who Breathes Life." In standard Metzettan practice his name is rendered with surname preceeding given name, however in practice his family name is never used and he is simply referred to as Emperor Hachi.

Early Life
Hachi was born in 1980 in the Imperial Household Hospital in Hanzeong. At the time the monarch was Emperor Seunsi who would rule until 1989 before being succeeded by her cousin Hakan. Hachi has reported in interviews that his childhood was a happy one; he enjoyed sports and was a cross-country runner in high school, and learned to play the clarinet from a young age. When Hachi was 11, Seozwi took over as Emperor following Hakan's death; Seozwi was Hachi's great-grandfather and following his passing in 1995, Hachi's grandmother Joya ascended to the throne, making his father the crown prince. Joya reigned until Hachi was 21; when he was 22 he officially became crown prince himself. As crown prince he undertook some royal duties including state visits on his father's behalf.

Education
From the age of 4, Hachi was enrolled in prestigious schools in Hanzeong. In high school he enjoyed cross-country running and rowing, joined the school orchestra and joined the Model League of Nations. He learned English, Latin and Corummese in preparation for his ambassadorial duties. Hachi graduated from Daekang University with a degree in History in 2001. His dissertation related to Rusana's role in the Second Great War. While at university he was enrolled in the Rowing Club and the Society of Amateur Botanists, and also took up badminton.

Reign
Hachi was 42 years old at the time of his ascension to the throne; on the day of his ascension the Coronation Bombings took place. His first state visit as regent was to Urcea.

In 2024 Emperor Hachi made a state visit to Arcerion and was presented with a crate of fine gins as a gift. He also participated in a NARL rugby practice game, watched the Kurst Lions v. Kinnaird Greenbacks match with the Prime Minister and received a Lions jersey.

Hachi is the first Metzettan Emperor to make an official state visit to The Cape; despite booing and jeers from crowds of locals he was able to discuss trade and culture.

As Prince
Corumm, 1998

As Crown Prince
Urcea, 2003

Corumm, 2004

Canpei, 2007

Caphiria, 2008

Rusana, 2013

Cartadania, 2019

As Emperor
Urcea, 2022

Corumm, 2022

Zaclaria, 2024

Arcerion, 2024

The Cape, 2025

Caphiria, 2026

Titles, Styles and Honours
From birth Hachi was styled as His Imperial Highness Prince Hachi. From 2002 he was known as His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Hachi and from 2022 he became known as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hachi.

National Honours
Grand Cordon of The Supreme Order of Taeyang (2022)

Grand Cordon of The Order of The Magnolia Tree (2002)

Order of Culture (2001)