Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, one of the most outspoken members of Japan’s royal family known for his fierce opposition against letting a woman ascend the throne and a self-professed alcoholic, died Wednesday, according to the Imperial Household Agency. He was 66.
The prince, the eldest cousin of Emperor Akihito, had suffered from health problems for about two decades. He had 16 cancer-related surgeries since 1991 and battled alcoholism for half his life. He had been hospitalized since December and underwent two surgeries this year alone. During the most recent procedure, in March, doctors removed cartilage blocking his throat after the prince complained he had difficulty swallowing. The official cause of death was not disclosed.
The grizzled, goateed prince grabbed headlines when he publicly admitted his problems with alcoholism: “I’m Prince Tomohito, the alcoholic,” he said, mimicking the self-introducing mantra of Alcoholics Anonymous, during a lecture in northern Japan in 2007. He continued to talk openly about his condition, considered a taboo subject in Japan, discussing it candidly during multiple press interviews. He said that it began as a teenager, but intensified later as problems arose within the imperial family, according to media reports at the time. His dependency was a ongoing struggle. In 2009, he was hospitalized for alcoholism five times within a six month period.
More than his alcoholism, the prince caused a stir for his fervent stance against allowing a female monarchy. In 2005, a government panel recommended amending the laws that would open the way for women and their children to sit on the ancient throne and resolve the looming succession crisis. The prince, who was the sixth in line to the throne, became the only prominent royal to step out on the contentious issue as the debate gained heat. Royal family members are prohibited from interfering in politics.
He argued that by breaking with tradition and allowing a woman to reign would over time compromise the imperial family’s significance. Instead, he said Japan should consider other options that would ensure producing a male heir.
One of his proposed fixes: reintroduce concubines.
“The question is whether it is the right thing to change our unique tradition and history so easily,” Akihito’s cousin, Prince Tomohito, wrote in the private essay distributed to palace officials in the fall of 2005, according to local media reports at the time. “Using concubines, like we used to, is one option. I’m all for it, but this might be a little difficult considering the social climate in and outside the country.”
He said concubines would increase the chances of producing a male heir—and was a successful method in the past. He also suggested bringing back former branches of the royal family that were abolished after World War II.
During the prince’s life, he was on the organizing committee for the Sapporo Winter Olympics from 1970-1972. He also served as the honorary head of several social welfare organizations as well as of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund.
The prince is survived by his parents, Prince Mikasa and Princess Yuriko as well as his wife, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa and his two daughters Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko.
June 6, 2012, 6:50 PM JS
TThe Wall Street Journal
By Yoree Koh
The prince, the eldest cousin of Emperor Akihito, had suffered from health problems for about two decades. He had 16 cancer-related surgeries since 1991 and battled alcoholism for half his life. He had been hospitalized since December and underwent two surgeries this year alone. During the most recent procedure, in March, doctors removed cartilage blocking his throat after the prince complained he had difficulty swallowing. The official cause of death was not disclosed.
The grizzled, goateed prince grabbed headlines when he publicly admitted his problems with alcoholism: “I’m Prince Tomohito, the alcoholic,” he said, mimicking the self-introducing mantra of Alcoholics Anonymous, during a lecture in northern Japan in 2007. He continued to talk openly about his condition, considered a taboo subject in Japan, discussing it candidly during multiple press interviews. He said that it began as a teenager, but intensified later as problems arose within the imperial family, according to media reports at the time. His dependency was a ongoing struggle. In 2009, he was hospitalized for alcoholism five times within a six month period.
More than his alcoholism, the prince caused a stir for his fervent stance against allowing a female monarchy. In 2005, a government panel recommended amending the laws that would open the way for women and their children to sit on the ancient throne and resolve the looming succession crisis. The prince, who was the sixth in line to the throne, became the only prominent royal to step out on the contentious issue as the debate gained heat. Royal family members are prohibited from interfering in politics.
He argued that by breaking with tradition and allowing a woman to reign would over time compromise the imperial family’s significance. Instead, he said Japan should consider other options that would ensure producing a male heir.
One of his proposed fixes: reintroduce concubines.
“The question is whether it is the right thing to change our unique tradition and history so easily,” Akihito’s cousin, Prince Tomohito, wrote in the private essay distributed to palace officials in the fall of 2005, according to local media reports at the time. “Using concubines, like we used to, is one option. I’m all for it, but this might be a little difficult considering the social climate in and outside the country.”
He said concubines would increase the chances of producing a male heir—and was a successful method in the past. He also suggested bringing back former branches of the royal family that were abolished after World War II.
During the prince’s life, he was on the organizing committee for the Sapporo Winter Olympics from 1970-1972. He also served as the honorary head of several social welfare organizations as well as of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund.
The prince is survived by his parents, Prince Mikasa and Princess Yuriko as well as his wife, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa and his two daughters Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko.
June 6, 2012, 6:50 PM JS
TThe Wall Street Journal
By Yoree Koh
