Sayako
| Sayako | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Tosichi | |
_(cropped).jpg) Sayako in 2022 | |
| Emperor of Tosichi | |
| Reign | October 15, 2023 - present |
| Predecessor | Irohi II |
| Born | Sayako, Prince 2 December 1959 Imperial Palace, Tagayan, Tosichi |
| Spouse | Amakusa |
| Issue | |
| House | Imperial House of Tosichi |
| Father | Emperor Irohi II |
| Mother | Tirita |
Sayako (born 2 December 1959) is the Emperor of Tosichi, succeeding his father Irohi II upon his death on October 15th, 2023. Sayako was born in the Imperial Palace in Tagayan, the first child of Emperor Irohi II and Princess Tirita during the reign of his grandfather Ichijou, and became heir apparent when Ichijou died in 1966. He was educated at Yoshii Katahiko University in Kyose before pursuing further education at both the University of Shanghan and University of Tofino. Sayako married Princess Amakusa in 1981, and the couple had three children; Princess Saionji (1984, heir apparent), Prince Kiso (1986), and Prince Adachi (1989). In 1997, a Zhenquan Sun article revealed that Sayako and Amakusa had each engaged in extramarital affairs, but the two remained married despite public criticism.
As heir apparent, Sayako undertook official duties and engagements on behalf of his aging father. He advocated for the conservation of historic buildings and the importance of architecture in society, and as an environmentalist supported organic farming and action to prevent climate change. He has authored 9 books.
Early life
Education
Personal life
Heir apparent
Reign
On October 11th, 2023, Irohi II collapsed on stage at the Yoshii Katahiko University in Kyose while delivering a speech and was quickly rushed to a local hospital, later flown back to the Imperial Palace in Tagayan. Doctors revealed on October 14th that Irohi's health had dramatically declined as a result of brain injury sustained in the fall, and Crown Prince Sayako, Prince Irichyo, and Prince Asiryo returned to the palace. At 7:14 PM on October 15th, 2023, Irohi II died at the age of 93. Sayako was named Emperor in a private ceremony at the palace, overseen by the Tosichi Supreme Court and Prime Minister Ari Shihida.
The outpouring of grief from the Tosichi public was instantaneous, with Irohi II having been the longest-serving monarch in Tosichi's history.