Masahito, Prince Hitachi

Masahito, Prince Hitachi (常陸宮正仁親王, Hitachi-no-miya Masahito Shinnō), was born on 28 November 1935 at Tokyo Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. He is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the younger brother of Emperor emeritus Akihito, and the paternal uncle of Emperor Naruhito. He is the second son and sixth child of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) and Empress Kōjun (Nagako). As the third and last in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, he holds the title of His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi since 1 October 1964.

Early Life and Education:

During his childhood, he held the appellation Prince Yoshi (義宮正仁親王, Yoshi-no-miya Masahito Shinnō). He received primary and secondary education at the Gakushūin Peers' School. In late 1944, amidst World War II, the Imperial Household Ministry evacuated him and the Crown Prince to Nikkō to escape the bombing of Tokyo. After the war, from 1947 to 1950, he was tutored in English by Mrs. Elizabeth Gray Vining, along with his siblings—Princess Kazuko, Princess Atsuko, and Princess Takako. Her account of this period is documented in her publication "Windows for the Crown Prince" (1952).

He earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the Faculty of Science at Gakushuin University in 1958. Subsequently, he undertook postgraduate studies in science at the University of Tokyo. In 1969, he became a Research Associate at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, focusing on cellular division. His research has been published in journals of the Japanese Cancer Association and the American Association for Cancer Research.

Honors and Recognitions:

In 1997, Prince Hitachi received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from George Washington University, followed by another from the University of Minnesota in April 2001. He was granted honorary membership of the German Association for Cancer Research in March 1999, recognizing his scientific contributions to cancer research.

Marriage:

On 30 September 1964, he married Hanako Tsugaru (born 19 July 1940), the fourth daughter of the late Yoshitaka Tsugaru, a former count and descendant of the Tsugaru Domain's daimyō. The following day, Emperor Shōwa granted him the title Hitachi-no-miya (Prince Hitachi), establishing a new branch of the Imperial Family. The couple resides in a palace located in extensive gardens off Komazawadori in Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo. They have no children, as Prince Hitachi contracted poliomyelitis in childhood, resulting in infertility.

Public Service:

Prince Hitachi is involved in numerous charitable activities, serving as an honorary president for various organizations, particularly those related to international exchange. Notably, he and Princess Hitachi visited Nicaragua and El Salvador in October 2005 to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations. They also traveled to France in September 2007 and Peru in June 2009, celebrating 110 years of Japanese community presence in Peru.

Health:

In late February 2023, Prince Hitachi experienced a fever and was hospitalized on 1 March. He was diagnosed with ureteral stones, for which he underwent ureteral stenting on 2 March at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center and was discharged on 5 March. He later underwent ureteral lithotripsy on 21 March, was discharged on 24 March, but was readmitted on 2 April due to a urinary tract infection, and discharged again on 24 April.

Titles and Honors:

His titles have included "His Imperial Highness Prince Yoshi" from 28 November 1935 until 1 October 1964, and "His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi" thereafter. He has been awarded multiple honors, including the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (1955), knighthoods of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark) (1965), the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1965), and the Order of the Benevolent Ruler (Nepal, 1960).

Academic and Honorary Positions:

He holds honorary positions such as president of the Japanese Society for the Preservation of Birds, Japanese Society for Disabled Children, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, and several others related to cultural, scientific, and charitable organizations.

Patrilineal Descent:

The document indicates an established patrilineal descent within the Imperial House of Japan, linking him through generations of the Japanese monarchy.

References and External Links:

Further information can be obtained through the Imperial Household Agency website and related official sources regarding his biography and activities.