Noriko Hirohashi

Noriko Hirohashi (born April 27, 1907; died August 25, 1985) was a former member of the Japanese Imperial Family. She was the second daughter of Prince Morihiro of Ritsumeikan and Princess Itsuko. Her former title was Princess Noriko. After leaving the Imperial Family, her rank was "Queen," and her honorific in the Imperial Household Law was "His Highness." Her older sister was Princess Fumiko, and she was a niece of Empress Shōjun.

Her life is summarized as follows: She was born in Tokyo on April 27, 1907. It is said that she had a calm personality from infancy.

In July 1925, it was announced that she was planning to marry Prince Takeshi Yamaguchi. Subsequently, she withdrew from Gakushuin Girls' School. At that time, Prince Takeshi Yamaguchi, who was engaged to her, visited the Kingdom Air Training School he established and showed interest. However, after losing his previous wife in the Great Kanto Earthquake and developing nervous breakdowns, consideration was given to the fact that Princess Noriko was still a teenager. As a result, it was announced in July 1926 that the engagement was canceled, and the following month, in August, the marriage was officially broken off.

On December 2 of the same year, she married Count Masamaru Hirohashi. Afterwards, she mainly engaged in charity activities. During the war, she served as the head of the Shibuya branch of the Great Japan Women’s Association. She died of a brain tumor at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital on August 25, 1985.

As honors, she was awarded the Second Class of the Order of the Crown of the State on November 26, 1926.