His Imperial Highness Prince Katsura (Yoshihito) was born on February 11, 1948, the second son of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Mikasa. His Imperial Highness graduated from the Department of Political Studies in the Faculty of Law of Gakushuin University in 1971. From 1971 to 1973 he studied abroad at the Graduate School of the Australian National University in Canberra. From 1974 to 1985 he worked as an administrator at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
His Imperial Highness Prince Katsura (Yoshihito) served as the President of the Japan Australia New Zealand Society, Inc., the Agricultural Society of Japan, the Japan Forestry Association, the Japan Art Crafts Association and the Japanese Urushi Craft-Art Association, working to promote Japanese traditional culture and international good will. In May 1988 His Imperial Highness was struck with illness, but he continued to make great efforts in his rehabilitation and appeared regularly in his capacity as President at group awards ceremonies, and other such events, offering his encouragement to those involved.
His Imperial Highness passed away on June 8, 2014, at the age of 66.
