Yasuko Konoe

Yasuko Konoe (近衛 甯子, Konoe Yasuko), born on 26 April 1944, is a former member of the Japanese imperial family. She is the first child of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa.

Yasuko was born at the Numazu Imperial Villa in Numazu, Japan. Her early education included attendance at Gakushuin Elementary School and Gakushuin Women's Secondary School. She later graduated from Gakushuin University, where she completed studies in the Department of Japanese Language and Literature within the Faculty of Letters.

On 16 December 1966, Yasuko married Tadateru Konoe. Following her marriage, she relinquished her imperial titles and left the Japanese imperial family, a step mandated by law upon marriage to a commoner. Consequently, she adopted the surname Konoe.

Tadateru Konoe is known as the younger brother of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and is the adopted grandson of former Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. He has served as the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Yasuko and Tadateru Konoe have a son named Tadahiro, who was born on 18 July 1970. Tadahiro is married to Keiko Kuni, and they married on 10 April 2004. The couple has three children: two boys and one girl, making Yasuko a grandmother.

Throughout her life, Yasuko has held the title Her Imperial Highness Princess Yasuko until her marriage. Since then, she has been known as Mrs. Tadateru Konoe.

In terms of honors, she has received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown, a national decoration awarded by Japan.

Yasuko Konoe's ancestry traces back to the Japanese imperial line through her father, Prince Mikasa, and her mother, Princess Yuriko. Her familial connections place her within the extended imperial family lineage.