First Catholic Princess of Japan makes history

In a quiet but significant milestone for the world’s oldest continuous monarchy, Princess Nobuko (widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa) has become the first baptized Catholic to head her own independent branch within Japan’s Imperial Family.

On September 30, 2025, Japan’s Imperial House Economy Council approved the establishment of a new imperial house under Princess Nobuko, granting her formal standing, an independent residence, and budget — the first such creation since 1990.

Born in 1955 into the prominent Catholic Asō family (sister of former Prime Minister Tarō Asō), she was baptized as a child and raised in the faith.

This marks a historic moment in a nation where Catholics make up less than 1% of the population, yet the faith has deep roots dating back to St. Francis Xavier’s missionary work in the 16th century and the heroic “Hidden Christians” who preserved it through centuries of persecution.

Princess Nobuko’s quiet witness brings a Catholic presence to the heart of Japanese tradition, reminding us of the universal call of Christ that reaches every culture and corner of the world.