Japanese Princess Yuriko, the wife of wartime Emperor Hirohito’s brother and the oldest member of the imperial family, has died at the age of 101. The Imperial Household Agency announced her passing, stating that she died at a Tokyo hospital. While the cause of death was not officially disclosed, Japanese media reports suggest that she succumbed to pneumonia.
Born in 1923 into an aristocratic family, Yuriko married Prince Mikasa at the age of 18, just months before the outbreak of World War II. Throughout her life, she faced the hardships of war, including living in a shelter with her husband and infant daughter after their home was destroyed during the US fire bombings of Tokyo in 1945.
Yuriko was a devoted mother of five children and actively supported her husband's research endeavors in ancient Near Eastern history. Despite outliving her husband and three sons, she continued to fulfill her official duties and engage in philanthropic activities.
With Yuriko's passing, Japan's imperial family now comprises 16 members, including only four men. The issue of succession remains a challenge, as the current law allows only males to ascend the throne, leading to concerns about the future stability of the royal lineage.
Prince Hisahito, the youngest male member and the last heir apparent, faces the pressure of upholding the succession tradition in a system that excludes empresses. The government is deliberating on strategies to ensure a smooth transition without relying on female members.
Despite her advanced age, Princess Yuriko maintained an active lifestyle, engaging in morning exercises while following fitness programs on television. She had a keen interest in current affairs, regularly reading newspapers and magazines, and watching news and baseball broadcasts. On pleasant days, she would spend time in the palace garden or be wheeled around in her wheelchair.
Following a stroke and subsequent pneumonia in March, Yuriko's health had been fragile, leading to multiple hospitalizations and intensive care treatments. Her condition deteriorated in the past week, ultimately leading to her passing.
