11/06/2026
𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙖 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮.
On September 30, 2025, the Imperial House Economy Council approved the creation of a new branch within the Imperial Family under Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa.
Princess Nobuko was baptized Catholic as a child and raised in the prominent Catholic Asō family, making her the first known baptized Catholic to lead her own household within Japan's Imperial Family.
While this does not change Catholic teaching or the role of the monarchy, many Catholics see it as a reminder that the Church is truly universal. Even in countries where Christians are a small minority, the faith continues to endure and bear witness.