Japan’s Imperial Family Mourns the Passing of Princess Yuriko, Its Oldest Member at the Age of 101
The princess has lived a healthy life as a centenarian, engaging in regular exercise and reading multiple newspapers and magazines, as confirmed by the Imperial Household Agency.
Japanese Princess Yuriko, the wife of Emperor Hirohito’s brother during wartime and the oldest member of the imperial family, has passed away at the age of 101, as announced by palace officials on Nov. 15.
Yuriko passed away at a Tokyo hospital at 6:32 a.m. local time, as reported by Japan’s Imperial Household Agency.
Her passing occurred about a week after her health started to decline.
While officials did not disclose the exact cause of death, Japanese media indicated that Yuriko had been hospitalized since March due to a stroke and pneumonia, and had been in and out of intensive care since then.
Various reports in Japanese media revealed that in recent weeks, the princess had experienced a decline in heart, kidney, and overall organ function.
Prior to her stroke, Yuriko led a healthy life as a centenarian, regularly engaging in exercise and reading numerous newspapers and magazines, as stated by the Imperial Household Agency.
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Yuriko was born in 1923 into an aristocratic family and entered the imperial family at 18 upon her marriage to Prince Mikasa, the younger brother of late former Emperor Hirohito and the uncle of current Emperor Naruhito, just before World War II broke out.
Over the years, the couple had five children—three sons and two daughters—while Yuriko fulfilled her official duties and remained actively involved in charitable activities.
The princess held the presidency of multiple foundations, such as the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-Ka and the Cultural Foundation for Promoting the National Costume of Japan. She also served as an honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Yuriko outlived her husband, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 100, as well as all three sons.
Following her demise, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed, “Since her marriage, [Princess Yuriko] had supported Prince Mikasa and, as a member of the imperial family, had made significant contributions to various fields like healthcare, welfare, culture, sports, and international relations.”
Elsewhere, Rahm Israel Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, expressed his deep sorrow at Yuriko’s passing, describing her as a cherished figure in Japan’s Imperial family.
“Her legacy of elegance and service will be remembered by all who knew her,” Emanuel shared on the social media platform X. “My sincere condolences to Emperor Naruhito and the entire Imperial family during this time of mourning.”
With Yuriko’s passing, Japan’s imperial family now consists of only 16 individuals, dwindling rapidly due to the 1947 Imperial House Law which restricts succession to males and causes female members to lose their royal status if they marry commoners.
The youngest male member of the imperial family, Prince Hisahito—the nephew of Emperor Naruhito—is currently the sole heir apparent.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
