Princess Akiko becomes head of her family

Japan’s Princess Akiko of Mikasa has become the head of her family branch.

Akiko, who is a paternal cousin of Emperor Naruhito, will now be the head of the Mikasa family branch.

The position has been vacant since the death of Princess Akiko’s grandmother, Yuriko, Princess Mikasa, who died in November 2024. Akiko’s grandfather headed the family prior to her grandmother.

Princess Akiko’s father, who was expected to inherit the role, died in 2012. Prince Tomohito died of cancer at the age of 66.

During the Imperial Household Agency meeting, it was also announced that Princess Nobuko, the mother of Akiko and her sister, will become independent and head a new branch of the Imperial Family. This will be the first new branch of the Imperial Family since 1990.

The Princess is the first princess by blood to hold the role of head of a branch since the Meiji era in the country.

Although Princess Akiko, 43, can be the head of her family branch, she is not in the line of succession. Under Imperial Household Law, females cannot ascend the throne and must renounce their titles and role in the Imperial House upon marriage to a commoner.

As a result, Japan only has three men in its line of succession.