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Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Princess Yuriko is seen on April 15, 2009.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
8:53 JST, November 15, 2024
Princess Yuriko, who was the oldest living member of the Imperial family, passed away at a Tokyo hospital on Friday morning due to old age. She was 101.
The princess was the widow of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Showa, who passed away in October 2016, aged 100.
Princess Yuriko was admitted to St. Luke’s International Hospital in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, on March 3 after suffering a stroke and developing aspiration pneumonia. While she continued to receive treatment, a medical examination conducted on Nov. 7 showed a decline in organ function, including of the heart and kidneys. From early this week, she nodded less in response to being spoken to, and the amount of time her eyes were open decreased. On early Friday morning, her blood pressure dropped, and she died at 6:32 a.m.
Princess Yuriko was born on June 4, 1923. Her father was Viscount Masanari Takagi, and her mother, Kuniko, was from the Irie family and the older sister of Sukemasa Irie, who served as the grand chamberlain for Emperor Showa.
Princess Yuriko married Prince Mikasa in October 1941 and the couple had three sons and two daughters. Prince Tomohito, Prince Katsura and Prince Takamado passed away in 2012, 2014 and 2002, respectively. The couple’s daughters are Yasuko, whose husband Tadateru Konoe is a former president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and Masako, whose husband Sen Genshitsu is the 15th-generation grand master of the Urasenke tea ceremony school.
In 1948, Princess Yuriko took the presidency of Boshi Aiiku Kai, an imperial gift foundation, and took the lead in campaigns for maternal and child health as well as the prevention of infant mortality. She also served as honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society and honorary president of the Association for Promoting the National Costume Culture of Japan and Ikebana International.
The princess accompanied Prince Mikasa, an expert on ancient Oriental history, during visits to Turkey, Iran, Egypt and other countries for such purposes as field research trips. Through such activities, Princess Yuriko also devoted herself to international goodwill.
Regarding her health, the princess underwent an operation to have a pacemaker implanted due to an irregular heartbeat and angina in May 1999. She also underwent colon surgery to remove cancerous tissue in July 2007.
For the publication of a biography on Prince Mikasa in December 2022, the princess gave a total of 11 interviews, providing valuable testimony.
With the passing of Princess Yuriko, the Imperial family now has 16 members.
