Yoshihito, Prince Katsura

Yoshihito, Prince Katsura (桂宮宜仁親王, Katsura-no-miya Yoshihito Shinnō), was born on 11 February 1948 at the Mikasa Family Home in Kamiōsaki, Shinagawa, Tokyo. He was the second son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. As a member of the Imperial House of Japan and a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, he held the traditional Japanese title of Prince Katsura (Katsura-no-miya).

He completed his undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Studies within the Faculty of Law at Gakushuin University in 1971. Subsequently, from 1971 to 1973, he studied at the Graduate School of the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. After completing his studies, he returned to Japan and worked as an administrator at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) from 1974 until 1985.

On 1 January 1988, at the age of 39, Yoshihito was granted the title Prince Katsura and received authorization to establish a new branch of the Imperial Family. This marked the formal creation of the Katsura-no-miya branch.

Throughout his life, Prince Katsura engaged in public service and international diplomatic activities. In 1982, he returned to Australia as part of the Japanese delegation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Australia-Japan Society, and he also visited New Zealand to foster diplomatic relations. Despite suffering from disabilities resulting from a series of strokes in 1988, he continued to participate actively in public life, frequently appearing at award ceremonies, diplomatic events, and serving as president of multiple charitable organizations. In July 1997, he made another visit to Australia to promote sumo wrestling exhibitions held in Sydney and Melbourne.

Yoshihito experienced health complications starting in May 1988, when he suffered a series of strokes and underwent surgery for an acute subdural hematoma. He used a wheelchair but remained actively involved in public activities, including service as president of various associations such as the Japan Australia New Zealand Society, the Agricultural Society of Japan, the Japan Forestry Association, the Japan Art Crafts Association, and the Japanese Urushi Craft Art Association. He had been hospitalized intermittently since 2008 due to sepsis and was diagnosed with an illness in early 2014 that affected and deteriorated his heart.

On the morning of 8 June 2014, Prince Katsura suffered a massive heart attack. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 10:50 AM local time, at the age of 66. His funeral, called "Renso no Gi," was held on 17 June 2014 at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo, attended by approximately 560 dignitaries, including members of the Imperial Family. The ceremony was led by Prince and Princess Mikasa, his parents, with his niece, Princess Akiko, serving as host.

Prince Katsura never married and had no legitimate children. At the time of his death, he was sixth in line to the Japanese throne. His honours included the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum, awarded on 27 February 1968, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, received on 9 March 1982.