Empress of Akitsukuni

The Empress of Akitsukuni (女性天皇) is the ceremonial head of state of Akitsukuni's constitutional monarchy. She is also the highest authority of the Imperial Shrine religion in her concurrent role as the Empress of the Shrine, the leader of the religion, acting as a "bridge" between the mortal world and the gods.

A hereditary role, the Empress is always a female and the Crown Princess is automatically the eldest daughter of the reigning Empress, or her oldest sister if she has no children or no daughters. The Empress may marry anyone from any social standing, with the chosen man considered selected by the gods. Unlike other monarchies, Akitsukuni does not have a nobility, and the Imperial Family officially extends only to the Empress's immediate family, though members of the extended family or relatives of the Empress do receive great societal recognition. The current Empress is Kameko, who succeeded her predecessor Kikuko after the latter's assassination in 2016.

As head of state, the Empress appoints the Prime Minister of Akitsukuni, as well as the highest-ranking commanders of the Akitsukunese Armed Forces. As the leader of the Imperial Shrine religion, she also carries out numerous religious duties and rites.

Theoretically, Akitsukunese law allows the Empress of Akitsukuni to be a separate individual from the Empress of the Shrine. However, as long as the Imperial Shrine remains the state religion of Akitsukuni, this is unlikely to be the case any time soon.