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Akihito was the eighth son of [[Prince Fushimi Kuniie|Prince Fushimi-no-miya Kuniie]], and was thus an older brother to a number of influential imperial princes, including [[Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa]], [[Prince Fushimi Sadanaru|Fushimi Sadanaru]], and [[Prince Yamashina Sadamaro|Yamashina Sadamaro]]. He entered [[Ninna-ji]] at age 12, in [[1858]], but returned to secular life in [[1867]] at the orders of [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]], taking on the name Higashi-Fushimi-no-miya Yoshiaki.

Akihito was the eighth son of [[Prince Fushimi Kuniie|Prince Fushimi-no-miya Kuniie]], and was thus an older brother to a number of influential imperial princes, including [[Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa]], [[Prince Fushimi Sadanaru|Fushimi Sadanaru]], and [[Prince Yamashina Sadamaro|Yamashina Sadamaro]]. He entered [[Ninna-ji]] at age 12, in [[1858]], but returned to secular life in [[1867]] at the orders of [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]], taking on the name Higashi-Fushimi-no-miya Yoshiaki.

Yoshiaki took part in the [[Battle of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]]/1 as commander of the subjugation of the East (''Seitô-tai-shôgun''), and in the [[Boshin War]] which followed as well. During the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] of [[1877]], the prince played a central role in the establishment of the Hakuai-sha, which provided medical attention to the wounded, and was named its president. In [[1882]], Prince Yoshiaki was renamed Komatsu-no-miya Akihito. The Hakuai-sha then became the Japanese Red Cross in [[1887]].

Yoshiaki took part in the [[Battle of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]]/1 as commander of the subjugation of the East (''Seitô-tai-shôgun''), and in the [[Boshin War]] which followed as well. During the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] of [[1877]], the prince played a central role in the establishment of the Hakuai-sha, which provided medical attention to the wounded, and was named its president. In [[1882]], Prince Yoshiaki was renamed Komatsu-no-miya Akihito. The Hakuai-sha then became the Japanese Red Cross in [[1887]]. That same year, incidentally, Prince Komatsu visited the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, in Constantinople, as a formal envoy of the Emperor.<ref>"[http://www.skylife.com/en/2010-09/an-ottoman-ship-in-japan-the-frigate-ertugrul An Ottoman Ship in Japan The Frigate Ertuğrul]," ''Skylife Magazine'', September 2010.</ref>

Meanwhile, in [[1881]], Prince Akihito served as the head of the welcoming committee for the visit of King [[David Kalakaua|David Kalākaua]] of Hawaiʻi, the first foreign head of state to visit Japan.<ref>King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] is an exception, having been brought to Japan as a prisoner of war in [[1609]].</ref> During the king's visit, Prince Akihito accompanied Kalākaua on a number of occasions as he traveled across [[Tokyo]], as well as hosting a reception for the king at his princely residence, ... At a number of these events, the prince wore the Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Rising Sun]], an honor he shared with his brothers Prince Fushimi and Prince Kitashirakawa, among others. The princes were all also awarded the [[Order of Kamehameha I]] by King Kalākaua.<ref>Masaji Marumoto, "Vignette of Early Hawaii-Japan Relations: Highlights of King Kalakaua's Sojourn in Japan on His Trip around the World as Recorded in His Personal Diary", ''Hawaiian Journal of History'' 10 (1976), 52-63.</ref>

Meanwhile, in [[1881]], Prince Akihito served as the head of the welcoming committee for the visit of King [[David Kalakaua|David Kalākaua]] of Hawaiʻi, the first foreign head of state to visit Japan.<ref>King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] is an exception, having been brought to Japan as a prisoner of war in [[1609]].</ref> During the king's visit, Prince Akihito accompanied Kalākaua on a number of occasions as he traveled across [[Tokyo]], as well as hosting a reception for the king at his princely residence, ... At a number of these events, the prince wore the Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Rising Sun]], an honor he shared with his brothers Prince Fushimi and Prince Kitashirakawa, among others. The princes were all also awarded the [[Order of Kamehameha I]] by King Kalākaua.<ref>Masaji Marumoto, "Vignette of Early Hawaii-Japan Relations: Highlights of King Kalakaua's Sojourn in Japan on His Trip around the World as Recorded in His Personal Diary", ''Hawaiian Journal of History'' 10 (1976), 52-63.</ref>