Empress Jito (???? Jito-tenno; 645 - 13 January 703) was the 41st monarch of Japan; according to the traditional order of succession. Jito's reign spanned the years from 686 through 697.

In the history of Japan; Jito was the third of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The two female monarchs before Jito were (1) Suiko and (2) Kogyoku/Saimei. The five women sovereigns reigning after Jito were (3) Gemmei; (4) Gensho; (5) Koken/Shotoku; (6) Meisho; and (7) Go-Sakuramachi.

Jito took responsibility for court administration after the death of her husband; Emperor Temmu; who was also her uncle. She acceded to the throne in 687 in order to ensure the eventual succession of her son; Kusakabe-shinno. Throughout this period; Empress Jito ruled from the Fujiwara Palace in Yamato.

Prince Kusabake was named as crown prince to succeed Jito; but he died at a young age. Kusabake's son; Karu-no-o; was then named as Jito's successor. He eventually would become known as Emperor Mommu.

In 697; Jito abdicated in Mommu's favor; and as a retired sovereign; she took the post-reign title daijo-tenno. After this; her imperial successors who retired took the same title after abdication. The actual site of Jito's grave is known. This empress is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Nara. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Jito's mausoleum. It is formally named Ochi-no-Okanoe no misasagi. Pictures From History