Princess Yohko1 of Mikasa was born on 25 October 1983 as the younger daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko Asō). She has an elder sister, Princess Akiko of Mikasa.
The Princess is a second cousin of Emperor Naruhito and a great-granddaughter of Emperor Yoshihito. She is not in the line of succession because Japan bars women from the throne.
Yohko attended the Gakushūin School for her primary, junior high, and high school education. This school was initially established for the nobility. She went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Japanese studies at the Gakushūin Women’s College.
Yohko practises kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art. She holds a dan rank and attends tournaments, including the All Japan Dojo Youth Kendo Tournament and the Prince Tomohito Kendo Cup 8th Dan Selection Tournament.
The traditional age of majority in Japan is 20, which Yohko turned in 2003. She attended a press conference on her birthday, where reporters asked her about her future plans. On that day, she also received the second class of the Order of the Precious Crown. From that day, she began to undertake royal duties. She worked at the Japanese Red Cross Society from December 2006 to November 2012.
Princess Yohko’s father died of cancer on 6 June 2012 at the age of 66. Since then, she has taken on activities close to his heart, such as welfare for people with disabilities, sports promotion, and youth education. She serves as President of Yuaijujikai, a social welfare organisation, Honorary President of the Japan Universal Sound Design Association, an NPO, and Honorary Advisor of the Inclusive Design Network.
She is also interested in the automotive industry and serves as Honorary President of the Japanese Super Formula Championship and President of the Japan Mobility Show. In 2024, the July Super Formula round at Fuji Speedway was named the Princess Yohko Cup in her honour.
She has spoken publicly about her sensorineural hearing loss due to Ménière’s syndrome, which makes it difficult for her to hold conversations. She described herself as “not a major type among the imperial family.”2
Following the death of their grandmother in 2024, Yohko’s sister, Akiko, was appointed as head of the Mikasa family branch.
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