Prince Tomohito of Mikasa facts for kids
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Prince Tomohito of Mikasa in March 2003
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| Born | 5 January 1946 Hayama, Kanagawa, Empire of Japan |
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| Died | 6 June 2012 (aged 66) Sasaki Institute Kyoundo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan |
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| Burial | 14 June 2012 Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery, Bunkyo, Tokyo |
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| Spouse |
Nobuko Asō
(m. 1980) |
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| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Takahito, Prince Mikasa | ||||
| Mother | Yuriko Takagi | ||||
Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō, 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was an important member of the Imperial House of Japan, which is the family of the Emperor. He was the oldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. Prince Tomohito was a first cousin to Emperor Akihito, who was the Emperor of Japan at the time.
He was once sixth in line to become the Emperor of Japan. He was also the main heir to the princely family of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa." Prince Tomohito was the first person in the Imperial Family to have a full beard since Emperor Meiji. Because of this, people often called him the "Bearded Prince" (ヒゲの殿下 Hige no Denka). He passed away from cancer on June 6, 2012, when he was 66 years old.
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Early Life and Education
Prince Tomohito was born on January 5, 1946, at his family's home. He went to Gakushuin University and studied political science. He finished his studies there in 1968. After that, from 1968 to 1970, he studied in the United Kingdom at Magdalen College, Oxford, which is part of the University of Oxford.
Marriage and Family Life
The Prince got engaged to Miss Nobuko Asō on May 21, 1980. Nobuko was the third daughter of Takakichi Asō, who was the head of a company called Asō Cement Co. Her mother, Kazuko, was the daughter of a former Prime Minister, Shigeru Yoshida. Nobuko is also the sister of Tarō Asō, who later became a Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Japan.
Prince Tomohito and Nobuko married on November 7, 1980. After their marriage, Miss Asō received the title HIH Princess Tomohito of Mikasa. The Prince and Princess had two daughters:
- Princess Akiko (彬子女王, Akiko Joō, born December 20, 1981, in Tokyo)
- Princess Yōko (瑶子女王, Yōko Joō, born October 25, 1983, in Tokyo)
The family lived in a special area within the Akasaka Estate in Minato, Tokyo. In October 2009, his wife, Princess Nobuko, moved to a different residence from him and their daughters.
Public Service and Activities
Prince Tomohito was very active in public life. For the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, he was a member of the organizing committee from 1970 to 1972. He also helped with the 1975 Okinawa World Fair.
The Prince was the president or honorary president of many groups. These groups focused on important areas like cancer research, helping young people learn, and improving relationships between Japan and other countries. He himself had cancer starting in 2003.
He was also well-known for supporting organizations that helped people with physical or mental disabilities. He encouraged them to take part in sports like skiing, bowling, dancing, and rugby. Prince Tomohito often traveled overseas with the Princess to support charities and missions related to health and welfare. He frequently gave talks and wrote articles for newspapers and magazines. He also wrote seven books.
International Visits
In December 1992, the Prince and Princess visited the United States. They went to support a new cancer ward at the New York Medical College. In 1994, they visited Hawaii to help with rebuilding Kuakini Hospital. In February 1994, they traveled to Norway to attend the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
In April 1998, the Prince and Princess visited Turkey for the opening of the Turkey-Japan Foundation Cultural Centre. They had visited Turkey before in 1990 to celebrate 100 years of friendship between Japan and Turkey. The Prince strongly supported creating a Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology in Japan. He returned to Turkey several more times in 2002 and 2003.
In June 1998, Prince Tomohito visited Australia. He helped raise money for a medical science foundation that honored Dr. Howard Florey, an Australian Nobel Prize winner. In December of the same year, he went to Thailand for the 1998 Asian Games.
In April 2003, Prince Tomohito visited Norway again, this time with his daughter, Princess Akiko. They attended the World Cross Country Ski Championships for people with visual impairments.
Interestingly, when he was younger, he even worked on the radio as a DJ!
Health Challenges and Passing
Prince Tomohito was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991, but he got better for a while. In 2003, he was diagnosed with cancer in his larynx (voice box) and started treatment right away. In September 2006, he broke his jaw because his bones had become weak from his chemotherapy treatments. In March 2008, the cancer spread to his pharynx (part of the throat), and he had surgery. Even though doctors tried to save his voice, he later had pneumonia because he couldn't swallow food properly. After this, he could only speak using a special mechanical larynx.
On June 6, 2012, Prince Tomohito passed away from multiple organ failure at the Sasaki Institute Kyoundo Hospital in Tokyo. He was 66 years old. He had been in the hospital for some time due to his ongoing cancer battles. About 660 people attended his funeral, which was held at the Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery.
In June 2013, the Imperial Household Agency announced that his family would now be part of his father's household.
Views on Imperial Succession
During a time when there was a big discussion about who could become the next Emperor of Japan, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi wanted to change the Imperial Household Law. This change would have allowed a woman to become Emperor. Prince Tomohito did not agree with this idea. He once joked that male members of the Imperial Family might need to have more children to ensure there were enough male heirs, as it used to be possible for an illegitimate male child to become Emperor. He later clarified that this comment was just a joke.
Titles and Honors
| Styles of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa |
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| Reference style | His Imperial Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Imperial Highness |
- 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012: His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa
National Honors
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (awarded on June 5, 1966)
Foreign Honors
Italy : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (awarded on March 9, 1982)
Honorary Degree
- Ankara University
Honorary Positions
Prince Tomohito held many important honorary positions, showing his dedication to various causes:
- President of the Social Welfare Organization Yuai Jyuji Kai
- President of the Arinomama-sha
- President of the Social Welfare Organization Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation Inc.
- President of the New Technology Development Foundation
- President of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund
- President of the Nippon Billiard Association
- President of the Professional Ski Instructors Association of Japan
- President of the Collegiate Skating And Ice Hockey Federation
- President of the Japan-Turkey Society
- President of the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Japan
- Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union
- Honorary President of the Japan-British Society
- Honorary President of the Norway-Japan Society
Images for kids
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Prince Tomohito of Mikasa in March 2003
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Prince Tomohito (far left) with his mother Princess Mikasa, his brother Prince Yoshihito, and his sister Princess Yasuko, around 1950
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Prince Tomohito giving a speech at Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa on March 7, 2003
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Prince Tomohito at the 60th National Sports Festival "Hare no Kuni Okayama Kokutai" Closing Ceremony at Momotaro Stadium, October 27, 2005
See also
In Spanish: Tomohito de Mikasa para niños
