Masahito, Prince Hitachi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Masahito |
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| Prince Hitachi | |
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Masahito in 2019
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| Born | Masahito, Prince Yoshi (義宮正仁親王) 28 November 1935 Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo City, Empire of Japan |
| Spouse |
Hanako Tsugaru
(m. 1964) |
| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Emperor Shōwa |
| Mother | Princess Nagako Kuni |
Masahito, Prince Hitachi (常陸宮正仁親王, Hitachi-no-miya Masahito Shinnō, born 28 November 1935) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. He is the younger brother of Emperor emeritus Akihito and the uncle of Emperor Naruhito. Prince Masahito is the second son of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. He is known for his work helping others and his important research on how cancer starts.
Contents
Early Life and School
Prince Masahito was born at the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Tokyo. When he was a child, he was known as Prince Yoshi.
He went to the Gakushūin Peers' School for his primary and secondary education. In 1944, during World War II, Prince Yoshi and his older brother, the Crown Prince, were moved to Nikkō. This was done to keep them safe from the American bombings in Tokyo.
After the war, from 1947 to 1950, an American teacher named Mrs. Elizabeth Gray Vining taught English to Prince Yoshi and his sisters. She wrote a book about her experiences.
Prince Yoshi studied chemistry at Gakushuin University and graduated in 1958. He then continued his studies at Tokyo University. In 1969, he started working as a researcher at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research. He focused on studying how cells divide, which is important for understanding cancer. His research findings have been shared in science journals.
Later, Prince Hitachi received special honorary degrees from universities in the United States. He also became an honorary member of the German Association for Cancer Research because of his important work.
Marriage and Family
On September 30, 1964, Prince Masahito married Hanako Tsugaru. She was born in 1940 and came from a noble family. The day after their wedding, Emperor Shōwa gave him the title Hitachi-no-miya, which means Prince Hitachi. This allowed him to start a new branch of the Imperial Family.
Prince and Princess Hitachi live in a palace in Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo. They do not have children because the prince had polio when he was a child. He recovered from the illness, but it affected his ability to have children.
Helping Others
Prince Hitachi is the honorary president of many different groups that help people. These groups often work on international exchange, which means they help people from different countries connect and understand each other.
For example, Prince and Princess Hitachi visited Nicaragua and El Salvador in 2005. This trip celebrated 70 years of friendly relations between Japan and those countries. They also visited France in 2007 and Peru in 2009. Their visit to Peru marked 110 years since Japanese people first started living there.
Health Updates
In early 2023, Prince Hitachi had some health issues. He had a fever and was hospitalized in March. Doctors found he had kidney stones and treated them. He was discharged from the hospital but returned later in April with a fever and a urinary tract infection. He was treated and then discharged again.
Titles and Special Emblems
- From November 28, 1935, to October 1, 1964: He was known as His Imperial Highness Prince Yoshi.
- From October 1, 1964, to today: He is known as His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi.
Awards and Positions
Prince Hitachi has received several awards from Japan and other countries. He also holds many honorary positions, which means he is a leader or supporter of various organizations.
Awards from Japan
Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (This is a very high honor in Japan.)
Awards from Other Countries
Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant
Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Nepal: Member of the Order of the Benevolent Ruler
Honorary Degrees
- 1997: Doctor of Science from George Washington University
- 2001: Doctor of Science from University of Minnesota
- Chiang Mai University
Honorary Leadership Roles
Prince Hitachi is the honorary president of many important groups, including:
- The Japanese Society for the Preservation of Birds
- The Japanese Society for Disabled Children
- The Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation
- The Japan Art Association
- The Tokyo Zoological Park Society
- The Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (Honorary President)
- The Japanese Red Cross Society (Honorary Vice-President)
See also
In Spanish: Masahito de Hitachi para niños
