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Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, Japan's oldest royal family member, dies at 101

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Yuriko in 2012.
Image: Rekishi-JAPAN.

Japan's Yuriko, Princess Mikasa passed away on November 14 at 9:32 pm UTC (November 15 at 6:32 am (JST)) at St. Luke's International Hospital in the central Chūō ward of Tokyo. The Princess was 101 years old and the last member of the Imperial house to be born in the Taishō era, and the oldest since the Meiji era.

Yuriko's health began to decline on November 7 when it was reported that an examination conducted revealed declining overall body function, including heart and kidneys. The Princess' granddaughter, Princess Akiko of Mikasa returned from the UK to visit Yuriko. Princess Akiko, Princess Yohko, Princess Hisako, Princess Nobuko, Princess Tsuguko, Former Princess Yasuko and her husband Tadateru Konoe all saw her before her death. With all of them except Yasuko and her husband being with her when she died. The Imperial Household agency said her cause of death was old age.

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita also sent their condolences on November 15. Her funeral is set to take place on November 26th, with Princess Akiko as the chief mourner. The Imperial Household agency also revealed on Instagram, that people are invited to sign a condolences book at the Mikasa estate.


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