Princess Yuriko of Japan Passes Away at 101, Sparking Succession Debates**

The death of Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of Japan’s imperial family, raises concerns about the future of the dynasty, as it shrinks to just 16 members, and the viability of its male-only succession law comes under scrutiny.**

Princess Yuriko of Japan, recognized as the oldest living member of the imperial family, died on Friday in Tokyo at the age of 101. The Imperial Household Agency announced her passing, which reportedly followed a battle with pneumonia. Born on June 4, 1923, Yuriko married Prince Mikasa, younger brother of Emperor Hirohito, on October 22, 1941, shortly before the United States' involvement in World War II.

Yuriko experienced a tumultuous life, as she recalled the ordeal of living in air raid shelters with her husband and young daughter following a devastating firebombing of Tokyo in 1945. The couple welcomed five children, and she actively contributed to her husband's academic pursuits in ancient Near Eastern history while engaging in philanthropic work focusing on maternal and child health. Following the death of her husband in 2016, she continued to thrive until experiencing a stroke earlier this year, before her health decline.

With Princess Yuriko's passing, the Japanese imperial family now consists of 16 members, which includes only four males. This significant reduction brings into sharp focus the ongoing debate over the succession structure determined by the 1947 Imperial House Law that restricts the throne to male heirs and revokes royal status for female members marrying outside the family. The current heir, Hisahito, is the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, making the future of the imperial lineage uncertain as the government faces questions regarding maintaining its stability without the inclusion of female successors.

Despite her health challenges, Princess Yuriko maintained an active lifestyle, known to regularly exercise to television fitness programs, stay informed through newspapers and magazines, and engage in television viewing, including news and baseball. Her life and legacy reflect a tumultuous period in Japan’s history, alongside the current implications of diminishing royal lineage in the context of traditional succession laws.