Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, 66, dies
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Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, died June 6, the Imperial Household Agency said. He was 66.
The prince, sixth in line to the Imperial throne, had gone through a series of operations for throat and tongue cancer since 1991, the most recent being his 16th cancer-related surgery to remove throat cartilage in March.
He had been hospitalized since December.
His death brought the number of Imperial family members to 22, including Emperor Akihito.
Prince Tomohito, nicknamed "the Bearded Prince," described his fight against cancer in his book Gan wo Kataru (Talking about Cancer) published in 1999. He also served in various honorary positions, including as president of the Social Welfare Organization Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation.
The outspoken prince often caused public stirs with his straightforward remarks. In 1982, he said he wanted to renounce his Imperial status to "devote myself to social activities." (Kyodo News)
三笠宮寛仁さま、ご逝去
三笠宮寛仁さまが6月6日、入院先の東京・千代田区の病院で逝去された。66歳だった。
Shukan ST: JUNE 15, 2012
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