The Imperial Family of Japan mourns the death of one of its most beloved members. Princess Yuriko died on November 15 6:32 a.m. after a few months of hospitalization, due to pneumonia and a stroke that left her incapacitated and in critical condition. In recent days, his condition has worsened, leading his family to closely monitor his progress with constant visits to the medical center.
With the death of Emperor Naruhito’s great-aunt at the age of 101, the imperial family said goodbye to its oldest member, he was also the royal older of the world. The news stained the hearts of the Japanese with mourning.
The country’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, expressed his regret through social networks. “I cannot help but be saddened by the news of the passing of Her Imperial Highness Princess Yuriko of Mikasa. Since her marriage, she has supported Prince Mikasa and, as a member of the Imperial family, contributed in a wide range of areas such as medical health, wellness, culture, sport and international friendship.
Likewise, she valued her achievements: “She was involved in maternal and child care projects for many years and made dedicated efforts. In addition, His Royal Highness interacted closely with the Japanese people, offering encouragement to those involved as they participated in various commemorative ceremonies and tournaments. Since reaching old age, he has led a calm and healthy life and last year he turned 100 years old. People were praying that he would live a long life and we are truly saddened by his tragic passing. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Imperial Family. “My deepest condolences.”
Who was Yuriko?
Born on June 4, 1923 in Tokyo into a noble family, she was descendant of a lineage of samurai linked to power and royalty. Her father was a viscount and her mother also had an aristocratic lineage, which allowed Yuriko to receive an exquisite education at the Gakushuin, an ancient center where high-born children are raised.
There he also studied what would become her future husband, Takahito of Mikasathe fourth and youngest descendant of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. They married in 1941, she was 18, and the marriage took place just two months before Japan entered World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Five children were born from their marriage.
Yuriko and Prince Takahito, in 2016.
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In Japan, not only Salic law governs, preventing women from rulingAdditionally, princesses lose their status if they marry commoners, which Yuriko’s two daughters curiously did. They were pioneers and seem to have opened the door to other more recent affairs in the imperial family, such as that of Princess Mako, niece of Naruhito, who renounced her privileges to be able to marry the lawyer Kei Komuro. After the marriage, the couple moved to New York.
Returning to Princess Yuriko, she played an important role in her native country during her long life. In 1948, she became president of the Imperial Gift Mother and Child Aikukai Foundation and was at the forefront of the maternal and child health movements and the prevention of infant mortality. It was also honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Crossthe National Association for the Promotion of Costume Culture and honorary president of Ikebana International.
The truth is that, although they do not have inheritance rights, women in the imperial household play an important role in carrying out official duties and Yuriko’s case is a good example of this. He has traveled internationally to represent the institution, as well as at the coronation of Queen Beatrix of Hollandin which she participated with her husband.
The late princess remained very active until a little over a decade ago, when her health began to deteriorate and she spaced out her appearances. Becoming a widow, in 2016 (Takahito died at the age of 100), she retired completely and did not even attend the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, her great-nephew.
Registration for condolences opens on Saturday, November 16 inside the Mikasa Palace residence, so that the Japanese can say goodbye. According to the Imperial Household, gifts and flowers are not permitted.
