Japan's Prince Katsura, Cousin of Emperor, Dies

Tokyo, June 8 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Prince Katsura, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, died of acute heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Sunday morning, the Imperial Household Agency said. He was 66. Sixth in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, Prince Katsura had titles such as president of the Japan Australia New Zealand Society. He was hospitalized earlier in the day as his health condition deteriorated. His death brought the number of Imperial family members to 21. Prince Katsura's younger brother, Prince Takamado, died in November 2002 at the age of 47, and his elder brother, Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, died in June 2012 at the age of 66. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a statement that he is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Prince Katsura. Prince Katsura had made great contributions in a wide area including promotion of agriculture and traditional crafts, Abe said, adding that he offers his heartfelt condolences. Prince Katsura was born on Feb. 11, 1948, as the second son of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa. After graduating from Gakushuin University in Tokyo in 1971, Prince Katsura studied history at a graduate school at Australian National University for two years. After returning to Japan, he worked for Japan Broadcasting Corp., or NHK, between 1974 and 1985. Prince Katsura, originally called Prince Yoshihito of Mikasa, received the title of Katsura and formed a new branch of the Imperial family in January 1988. He underwent surgery for acute subdural hematoma in May 1988 and carried out his official duties in a wheelchair after returning to work in November 1991. But he was hospitalized for blood poisoning in September 2008. After being discharged in March 2009, he was in and out of the hospital in recent years. END