Royal Profile: Princess Yōko of Mikasa

Princess Yōko of Mikasa was born 25 October 1983 as the second daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Nobuko, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa{Source}. She has an older sister{Source}:

1. Princess Akiko of Mikasa (1981)

Like many of the Japanese Imperial Household, she attended  Gakushūin School for her primary, junior high, and high school education. She studied at  Gakushūin Women's College, earning a bachelor's degree in Japanese Studies. 

She reached Japanese Age of Majority in October 2003, and began attending official ceremonies. Upon completing her education, she began active volunteer efforts. From December 2006-November 2012, she was an active member of the Japanese Red Cross Society{Source}. She was named patron of the International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) in August 2013, a postition which was formerally held by her father{Source}.  In November 2013, she attended the 10th anniversary of IAUD's Foundation in Yokohama {Source}. She also became President of the Social Welfare Organization Yuai Juiji Kai in January 2014. 

She has praticed traditional Japanese martial art of kendo from an early age. She was selected to take part in tournaments in Europe and take part in an exhibition at the 2006 Aichi World's Fair in 2005. In July 2006, the young princess attended the national convention of Kendo Housewives. 

On 6 July 2012, her world was turned upside down with the death of her father from multiple organ failure after several years of bad health.