Japanese Princess Yuriko, the eldest member of Japan’s imperial family, has passed away at the age of 101.
She died on Friday at a Tokyo hospital, according to the Imperial Household Agency, which did not reveal the specific cause of death. However, Japanese media reports suggest she succumbed to pneumonia after a period of declining health.
Born in 1923, Yuriko was an aristocrat before marrying Prince Mikasa, the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito, at just 18 years old. The marriage took place just months before World War II began. Together, Yuriko and Prince Mikasa had five children.
During the war, the couple experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, including the destruction of their home in the 1945 U.S. firebombings of Tokyo. They spent time living in a shelter with their young daughter during the final months of the war.
After the war, Yuriko dedicated herself to supporting her husband’s academic pursuits. Prince Mikasa was a respected scholar of ancient Near Eastern history, and Yuriko played an active role in his research while balancing her official duties and philanthropic efforts.
Despite the challenges, she managed to raise five children and care for her family.
Over the years, Yuriko outlived not only her husband but also all three of her sons.
Princess Yuriko’s passing brings the number of living members of Japan’s imperial family down to just 16. This shrinking royal circle poses a challenge for Japan‘s monarchy, particularly when it comes to succession. The country’s current law, the 1947 Imperial House Law, mandates that only male descendants can inherit the throne. Female members who marry commoners lose their royal status, further complicating the issue.
Currently, the youngest male member of the imperial family is Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito.
He remains the last male heir in the family, which raises questions about the future of the Japanese monarchy. The government has been grappling with how to secure a stable line of succession, as the existing system prevents women from becoming empresses.
Before her health declined, Princess Yuriko had enjoyed relatively good health well into her 100s. She was known for staying active, following a daily fitness routine while watching television. She also kept herself informed by reading several newspapers and magazines and enjoyed watching the news and baseball. On sunny days, she would sit in the palace garden or be wheeled around in a wheelchair to enjoy the outdoors.
However, in March, Yuriko suffered a stroke, followed by pneumonia, which led to her hospitalization.
Since then, her condition fluctuated, and she was frequently in and out of intensive care. Over the past week, her health continued to worsen, and she passed away on Friday.
Yuriko’s death marks the end of an era for the Japanese imperial family, which has been facing increasing challenges due to its shrinking size and the complexities of succession. Her passing highlights the delicate balance between tradition and the future of the monarchy in a modern Japan that is debating how to preserve its royal heritage.