Princess Kako of Akishino (佳子内親王, Kako Naishinnō; born 29 December 1994) is the second daughter of the Crown Prince and…Princess Kako of Akishino (佳子内親王, Kako Naishinnō; born 29 December 1994) is the second daughter of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan and a member of the Akishino branch of the Japanese imperial family. She is a niece of Emperor Naruhito and the second-eldest grandchild of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
Mako Komuro (小室 眞子, Komuro Mako; born 23 October 1991), formerly Princess Mako of Akishino (眞子内親王, Mako Naishinnō), is…Mako Komuro (小室 眞子, Komuro Mako; born 23 October 1991), formerly Princess Mako of Akishino (眞子内親王, Mako Naishinnō), is a Japanese art historian and a former member of the Japanese imperial family. She is the eldest child of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, niece of Emperor Naruhito, and granddaughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko. In October 2021, upon her marriage to a commoner, Princess Mako formally lost her title, as required by the Imperial Household Law.
Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House…Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, a paternal second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, and the elder daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko). She is also a niece of Japan's 92nd prime minister Tarō Asō (who is the older brother of her mother), a great-niece of author and literary critic Ken'ichi Yoshida, and a great-granddaughter of Japan's 45th prime minister Shigeru Yoshida. In September 2025, Princess Akiko became the head of the Mikasa-no-miya branch of the imperial family. She is the first woman who was a princess by birth to succeed as head of a branch of the imperial family since Princess Sumiko.
Sayako Kuroda (黒田 清子, Kuroda Sayako; born 18 April 1969), formerly Sayako, Princess Nori (紀宮清子内親王, Nori-no-miya Sayako…Sayako Kuroda (黒田 清子, Kuroda Sayako; born 18 April 1969), formerly Sayako, Princess Nori (紀宮清子内親王, Nori-no-miya Sayako Naishinnō), is the youngest child and only daughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, and the younger sister of the current Emperor of Japan, Naruhito. She is an imperial Shinto priestess of the Ise Grand Shrine, currently serving as the Supreme Priestess. Kuroda held the appellation "Nori-no-miya" (Princess Nori), until her marriage to Yoshiki Kuroda on 15 November 2005. As a result of her marriage, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by the Article 12 of the Imperial Household Law, and received a payment of approximately US$1,000,000.
Masako (Japanese: 雅子; born Masako Owada (小和田雅子, Owada Masako); 9 December 1963) is Empress of Japan as the wife of…Masako (Japanese: 雅子; born Masako Owada (小和田雅子, Owada Masako); 9 December 1963) is Empress of Japan as the wife of Emperor Naruhito. Born in Minato, Tokyo, Masako was educated at Belmont High School in Massachusetts, United States, before attending Harvard College. She also studied law at the University of Tokyo and international relations at Balliol College, Oxford. After completing her studies, she worked for Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat. Masako met Crown Prince Naruhito in 1986. They married in 1993 and their only child, Aiko, Princess Toshi, was born in 2001. The birth of Princess Aiko fueled the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate, which had led some politicians to favor rescinding the agnatic primogeniture imposed by the Allies of World War II on the Constitution of Japan. However, with the birth of a son to Naruhito's brother, Fumihito, in 2006, no amendments were made and Princess Aiko remains ineligible to inherit the throne. The pressure to produce a male heir affected Masako's health. She was diagnosed with adjustment disorder in 2004, which forced her to withdraw from public life periodically. As crown princess and later empress, Masako has accompanied her husband on official visits abroad and at ceremonies in the imperial court.
Hisako, Princess Takamado (憲仁親王妃久子, Norihito Shinnōhi Hisako) (born Hisako Tottori (鳥取久子, Tottori Hisako); 10 July…Hisako, Princess Takamado (憲仁親王妃久子, Norihito Shinnōhi Hisako) (born Hisako Tottori (鳥取久子, Tottori Hisako); 10 July 1953), is a member of the Japanese imperial family as the widow of Norihito, Prince Takamado.
Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of…Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa". Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the "Bearded Prince" (ヒゲの殿下 Hige no Denka). He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.
Yasuko Konoe (近衛 甯子, Konoe Yasuko; born 26 April 1944), formerly Princess Yasuko of Mikasa (甯子内親王, Yasuko Naishinnō)…Yasuko Konoe (近衛 甯子, Konoe Yasuko; born 26 April 1944), formerly Princess Yasuko of Mikasa (甯子内親王, Yasuko Naishinnō), is the first child of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. She married Tadateru Konoe on 16 December 1966. As a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law.
Hanako, Princess Hitachi (正仁親王妃華子, Masahito Shinnōhi Hanako) (born Hanako Tsugaru (津軽華子, Tsugaru Hanako); 19 July…Hanako, Princess Hitachi (正仁親王妃華子, Masahito Shinnōhi Hanako) (born Hanako Tsugaru (津軽華子, Tsugaru Hanako); 19 July 1940), is a member of the Japanese imperial family as the wife of Masahito, Prince Hitachi, who is the younger son of Emperor Shōwa and the only brother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. By marriage, she is the aunt of Emperor Naruhito.
Takako Shimazu (島津 貴子, Shimazu Takako; born 2 March 1939), born Takako, Princess Suga (清宮貴子内親王, Suga-no-miya Takako…Takako Shimazu (島津 貴子, Shimazu Takako; born 2 March 1939), born Takako, Princess Suga (清宮貴子内親王, Suga-no-miya Takako Naishinnō), is a former member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the fifth and youngest daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun, the youngest sister of the Emperor Emeritus of Japan, Akihito, and the paternal aunt of the current Emperor of Japan, Naruhito. She married Hisanaga Shimazu on 3 March 1960. As a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law.
Michiko (美智子; born Michiko Shōda [正田 美智子 Shōda Michiko], 20 October 1934) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan…Michiko (美智子; born Michiko Shōda [正田 美智子 Shōda Michiko], 20 October 1934) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who has been the Empress Emerita of Japan since 1 May 2019. She was the Empress of Japan as the wife of Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan reigning from 7 January 1989 to 30 April 2019. Michiko married Crown Prince Akihito and became Crown Princess of Japan in 1959. She was the first commoner to marry into the Japanese imperial family. She has three children with her husband: Naruhito, Fumihito, and Sayako. Her elder son, Naruhito, is the current emperor. As crown princess and later as empress consort, she has become the most visible and widely travelled imperial consort in Japanese history. Upon Akihito's abdication, Michiko received the new title of Jōkōgō (上皇后), or Empress Emerita.
Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko…Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko Naishinnō), is the fourth daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. As such, she is the older sister of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and paternal aunt of Emperor Naruhito. She married Takamasa Ikeda, a man from outside the imperial dynasty, on 10 October 1952; as a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law. Later, she served as the supreme priestess (saishu) of the Ise Grand Shrine between 1988 and 2017.
Yuriko, Princess Mikasa (崇仁親王妃百合子, Takahito Shinnōhi Yuriko) (born Yuriko Takagi (高木百合子, Takagi Yuriko), 4 June 1923 –…Yuriko, Princess Mikasa (崇仁親王妃百合子, Takahito Shinnōhi Yuriko) (born Yuriko Takagi (高木百合子, Takagi Yuriko), 4 June 1923 – 15 November 2024) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan as the wife of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, the fourth son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. The Princess was the last surviving paternal great-aunt by marriage of Emperor Naruhito and, before her death, was the oldest member of the imperial family, and the final living member who was born in the Taishō era.
Kikuko, Princess Takamatsu (宣仁親王妃喜久子, Nobuhito Shinnōhi Kikuko), born Tokugawa Kikuko (徳川喜久子; 26 December 1911 – 18…Kikuko, Princess Takamatsu (宣仁親王妃喜久子, Nobuhito Shinnōhi Kikuko), born Tokugawa Kikuko (徳川喜久子; 26 December 1911 – 18 December 2004), was a member of the Japanese imperial family. The Princess was married to Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu, the third son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. She was, therefore, a sister-in-law of Emperor Shōwa and an aunt by marriage of the following emperor, Akihito. She was mainly known for philanthropic activities, particularly her patronage of cancer research organizations. At the time of her death, Princess Takamatsu was the oldest member of the Imperial Family.
Setsuko, Princess Chichibu (雍仁親王妃勢津子, Yasuhito Shinnōhi Setsuko; born Setsuko Matsudaira (松平節子, Matsudaira Setsuko); 9…Setsuko, Princess Chichibu (雍仁親王妃勢津子, Yasuhito Shinnōhi Setsuko; born Setsuko Matsudaira (松平節子, Matsudaira Setsuko); 9 September 1909 – 25 August 1995) was a member of the Japanese imperial family and the wife of Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu, the second son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. Setsuko was a sister-in-law of Emperor Shōwa and an aunt by marriage of Emperor Akihito.
Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of…Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the wife of Emperor Hirohito and the mother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. She served as Empress of Japan from 1926 until her husband's death in 1989, making her the longest-serving empress consort in Japanese history.
Hirotada, Prince Kachō (華頂宮博忠王, Kachō-no-miya Hirotada-ō; 26 January 1902 – 24 March 1924) of Japan, was a member of a…Hirotada, Prince Kachō (華頂宮博忠王, Kachō-no-miya Hirotada-ō; 26 January 1902 – 24 March 1924) of Japan, was a member of a collateral branch of the Japanese imperial family.
Yi Bangja (Korean: 이방자; 4 November 1901 – 30 April 1989) was the wife of Crown Prince Euimin, the last Crown Prince of…Yi Bangja (Korean: 이방자; 4 November 1901 – 30 April 1989) was the wife of Crown Prince Euimin, the last Crown Prince of the Korean Empire. She was born as Princess Masako of Nashimoto (方子女王, Masako Joō), a member of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Baron Matsuji Ijuin (伊集院 松治, Ijūin Matsuji; 21 April 1893 – 24 May 1944) was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy…Baron Matsuji Ijuin (伊集院 松治, Ijūin Matsuji; 21 April 1893 – 24 May 1944) was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, who was promoted posthumously to vice admiral after being killed in action in combat off Saipan.
Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino (皇嗣文仁親王妃紀子, Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō-hi Kiko) (born Kiko Kawashima (川嶋紀子, Kawashima Kiko)…Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino (皇嗣文仁親王妃紀子, Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō-hi Kiko) (born Kiko Kawashima (川嶋紀子, Kawashima Kiko); 11 September 1966) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is married to Crown Prince Fumihito, the heir presumptive to the Japanese throne. Kiko earned a doctoral degree in humanities from Ochanomizu University. Her marriage to Prince Fumihito in 1990 reflected a trend in which members of the imperial family married academically accomplished commoners from the middle class, continuing a pattern observed in previous and current generations. The couple has three children: Mako, Kako, and Hisahito. Prior to their investiture as Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had prompted discussions among some lawmakers about revising the male-only succession rule (agnatic primogeniture) established by the Allies of World War II in the postwar constitution of Japan. The birth of Prince Hisahito in September 2006, however, secured the line of succession for male heirs, placing him immediately after his father. Hisahito's cousin, Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito, remains legally ineligible to inherit the throne, though debate continues over the potential for future empresses regnant. As active working members of the imperial family, Kiko and Fumihito regularly participate in official duties, including attendance at summits, organizational meetings, and international events. They frequently represent the Imperial Household at ceremonies involving heads of state and other dignitaries abroad. Kiko's patronages focus primarily on medical, scientific, and children's welfare initiatives.
Ayako Moriya (守谷 絢子, Moriya Ayako; born 15 September 1990), formerly Princess Ayako of Takamado (絢子女王, Ayako Joō), is a…Ayako Moriya (守谷 絢子, Moriya Ayako; born 15 September 1990), formerly Princess Ayako of Takamado (絢子女王, Ayako Joō), is a former member of the Imperial House of Japan and the youngest of three daughters of Norihito, Prince Takamado, and Hisako, Princess Takamado. She married Kei Moriya, a commoner, on 29 October 2018. As part of her marriage to a commoner, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law.
Aiko, Princess Toshi (敬宮愛子内親王, Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō; born 1 December 2001) is a member of the Imperial House of…Aiko, Princess Toshi (敬宮愛子内親王, Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō; born 1 December 2001) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Following her birth, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture (male-only imperial succession) originally implemented in 1889 and retained by the Allies of World War II on the Constitution of Japan. However, once her uncle Crown Prince Fumihito had a son, Hisahito, in September 2006, Hisahito became second in the line of succession following his father. Aiko remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne and she cannot succeed her father, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues.
