Prince Hitachi, uncle of Emperor Naruhito, turned 90 on November 28, 2025. He spent the day quietly at his residence in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward with his wife, Princess Hanako. The prince continues regular rehabilitation exercises to maintain his health.
Prince Hitachi is the younger brother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and uncle of Emperor Naruhito. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the prince and his wife, Princess Hanako, spend their days at their residence in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The 85-year-old princess accompanies the prince, who engages in regular rehabilitation exercises to maintain his health.
In 2023, he was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection following surgery for ureteral stones but has since recovered. He undergoes gait training and stretching with a physical therapist at home twice a week and at a hospital three times a month to preserve lower limb strength. Due to his advanced age, the prince has refrained from attending events for organizations where he serves as head or honorary head since an exhibition by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation in March 2024. Princess Hanako participates in such events on his behalf.
The prince spends most of his time in a wheelchair at home and cares for a 5-year-old miniature dachshund named Fukuhime. On nice days, he strolls in the garden with his wife and they observe wild birds, with the prince answering her questions about them. He watches television, including news and sports like golf, basketball, and sumo. Together with his wife, he viewed the Los Angeles Dodgers—featuring Shohei Ohtani and two other Japanese players—win their second consecutive World Series.
He occasionally invites friends to the residence for chats. Although retired from cancer research, Prince Hitachi maintains interest in carcinogenesis and cancer biology, occasionally reading related journals.