Princess Yuriko, Japan's Oldest Royal, Dies at 101

Her passing marks a significant moment for Japan's imperial family, now reduced to 16 members.

Princess Yuriko, born in 1923 to an aristocratic family, married Prince Mikasa, Emperor Hirohito's brother, at age 18.
She lived through World War II, experiencing the destruction of her home during U.S. bombings and raising her family in a shelter.
Yuriko was hospitalized in March after suffering a stroke and pneumonia, with her condition worsening in recent weeks.
Her death highlights Japan's imperial succession crisis, as the family now includes only four men and faces pressure to maintain male-only succession rules.
The Japanese Imperial Family will observe a mourning period, with the main funeral ceremony scheduled for November 26, 2024.