Condition of hospitalized Japanese Princess Yuriko, 101, deteriorates

The condition of hospitalized Japanese Princess Yuriko, 101, has deteriorated, officials of the Imperial Household Agency said Friday.
An examination conducted on the princess Thursday found a decline in the function of many of her organs, including the heart and kidneys, according to the officials. She is receiving treatment at a hospital room but is unresponsive.
Princess Yuriko, great-aunt by marriage of Emperor Naruhito, entered St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward in March due to a mild cerebral infarction and aspiration pneumonia.
She had been undergoing rehabilitation, such as sitting in a wheelchair, but had been unable to eat or drink on her own.
Her granddaughter, Princess Akiko, who left for Britain on Thursday to attend an international conference in London, returned to Tokyo on Saturday morning and visited the hospital to see Princess Yuriko.
Princess Akiko was initially scheduled to fly back Friday next week after also visiting France. But she moved up her return home, learning about the worsening of her grandmother’s condition.
The agency said Saturday that Princess Hisako, the widow of the late Prince Takamado, the third son of Princess Yuriko, has canceled a visit to the western prefectures of Nara and Kyoto, which had been scheduled until Monday.