<a href="https://time.news/princess-yuriko-the-oldest-member-of-the-japanese-imperial-family-has-died-at-the-age-of-101/" title="Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of the Japanese imperial family, has died at the age of 101″>Princess Yuriko, the eldest member of the Japanese imperial family and great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, fHe died at the age of 101 in a Tokyo hospitalaccording to a spokesman for Japan’s Imperial Household Agency.
The news comes days after the agency reported that his heart and kidney functions were deteriorating. after being hospitalized in a hospital in the capital city of Tokyo for months.
Yuriko was admitted to St Luke’s International Hospital in the center of the Japanese capital this March for a stroke and pneumonia, and has not made a public appearance since New Year’s Day, when she attended a ceremony at the Tokyo Imperial Palace and visited on the residence of the emperor emeritus.
Yuriko is the widow of the late Prince Mikasa whom she married in 1941, and hadHe was one of the three brothers of Emperor Hirohitothe grandfather of the current Emperor Naruhito, and who died in 2016 at the age of 100.
The women of the Japanese imperial family currently play an important role in the performance of official functions and the public appearance of the institution, where they are in the majority despite not having inherited rights.
Of the 16 current members of the Japanese imperial family, 11 They are women, the wives of princes or their unmarried daughters, since when the women of the imperial family marry common men they must abandon the family lineage and their functions.
This poses an urgent succession problem in a country governed by Salic law where three members currently have inheritance rights: Crown Prince Akishino, 58; his son, Prince Hisahito (18), and the second’s great-uncle, Prince Hitachi, 88, brother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito (90).
What were Princess Yuriko’s most notable contributions to the Japanese imperial family during her lifetime?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Imperial Family Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. With the recent news of Princess Yuriko’s passing at 101, we’re gathered to reflect not only on her life but also what her contributions mean for Japan’s imperial family. Can you first share your thoughts on her passing?
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s a bittersweet moment. Princess Yuriko’s longevity and her status as the eldest member of the Japanese imperial family made her a significant figure. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of the imperial lineage.
Editor: She had been in declining health, as reported by the Imperial Household Agency. Can you elaborate on the period leading up to her death?
Expert: Certainly. Princess Yuriko had been hospitalized since March due to serious health issues, including complications from a stroke and pneumonia. Unfortunately, her heart and kidney functions had deteriorated in the days leading up to her death, which is indicative of her advanced age and the struggles she faced health-wise. It’s worth noting that she hadn’t made a public appearance since New Year’s Day, which highlights how severely her health had declined in recent months.
Editor: Yuriko was not just any royal; she was the great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito. How did her role within the imperial family manifest during her lifetime?
Expert: Yuriko had a unique position within the imperial family. Being the great-aunt to the current emperor, she bridged both historical and contemporary royal experiences. Her presence at ceremonial events, such as New Year’s Day, was symbolic. She represented continuity and tradition, embodying the values that have been central to the Japanese monarchy.
Editor: As a widow, she led a life that’s often unseen from the public eye. How has her status as a widow in the royal family impacted her public perception and contributions?
Expert: Being a widow in the imperial family often thrusts a member into a more subdued role. Yuriko’s life reflected that balance of tradition and modernity. Although she stepped back from the limelight in her later years, her contributions to royal duties were significant earlier in her life. She was known for her participation in various charitable activities, echoing her belief in public service, which is a core value of the imperial family.
Editor: The Japanese are known for their deep respect for their imperial family. What will her legacy be in the eyes of the Japanese people?
Expert: Princess Yuriko’s legacy is likely to be one of devotion to duty and family. Her long life and unwavering support for the imperial family, despite the challenges of health in her later years, have left a mark on the consciousness of the nation. The public will remember her for her grace and resilience, qualities that resonate deeply with traditional Japanese values.
Editor: As we reflect on her life, what do you imagine are the implications of her death on the current imperial family?
Expert: This is undoubtedly a moment of reflection for the entire imperial family. With every passing elder, the continuity of tradition faces tests; however, it’s also a reminder for the younger generation to carry that legacy forward. I anticipate that Emperor Naruhito and other family members will take this opportunity to honor her memory and reaffirm their commitment to the responsibilities bestowed upon them.
Editor: Thank you for your insights. It’s clear that Princess Yuriko’s life, while often sheltered from the public eye, was rich with meaning and significance for the Japanese people and the imperial family.
Expert: It’s been my pleasure. Princess Yuriko’s life illustrates the depth of the historical continuity in Japan, and we should certainly remember her contributions as we move forward.