20/05/2026
Princess Nobuko, the widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, has quietly entered Japanese history as the first baptized Catholic to head her own branch of the Imperial Family — a rare and symbolic moment within the world’s oldest continuous monarchy. On September 30, 2025, Japan’s Imperial House Economy Council officially approved the establishment of a new imperial house under Princess Nobuko, granting her an independent residence, budget, and formal standing within the Imperial Family. The decision marked the first creation of a new imperial house since 1990. It drew attention for another historic reason: Princess Nobuko is the first openly baptized Catholic to lead her own imperial branch in Japan’s history. Born Nobuko Asō in 1955, she comes from the prominent Catholic Asō family and was baptized as a child. She studied in Catholic schools and is the sister of former Japanese Prime Minister Tarō Asō, one of Japan’s best-known Catholic political figures. She married Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, in 1980. Her appointment carries particular significance in Japan, where the Imperial Family has long been closely tied to Shinto traditions and rituals. At the same time, Christianity remained a minority faith for centuries following periods of severe persecution. Catholics today make up less than 1% of Japan’s population. Historians and observers note its deeper symbolism: for the first time, a baptized Catholic woman now holds her own recognized place within the heart of the Japanese imperial institution.
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