Its Imperial Highness Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu of Japan (June 25th, 1902 - January 4th, 1953), ( Chichibu No miya Yasuhito Shinnô ), was the second wire of the Empereur Taisho, one of the juniors by the Empereur Showa and the groin of the princes Nobuhito Takamatsu and Takahito Mikasa.

Yasuhito received on May 26th, 1922 of his/her father the title of prince Chichibu and the authorization to found a new line.

Military career

In 1935, the prince was promoted with the rank of major in the Armée showa and was assigned with Hirosaki in August 1935.

He was morally implied in the Incident of 26-February 1936 but its real role remains ambiguous although he clearly posted his sympathy towards the rebels.

In May 1937, it started with his Setsuko wife a diplomatic tour in Europe begin with crowning from the British king George VI and concluding themselves by a meeting with Adolf Hitler with Nuremberg where Chichibu attended in particular the celebrations Nazis.

In August 1937, it was named ordering of the 31 ème regiment of infantry and was promoted lieutenant-colonel in 1938 then colonel in 1939.

The prince had many quarrels with his elder Hirohito, in particular in July 1939 whereas it assiduously tried to convince it of the need for a military alliance with the Germany.

During the war, it was implied in many operations and was sent by the emperor to Nankin after the massacre and to the Manchukuo before the Bataille of Halhin Gol.

According to the authors Peggy and Sterling Seagrave, the prince directed from 1937 to 1945 the Lys operation of gold by which the Japan plundered the richnesses territories conquered in Asia. According to his Setsuko wife and the official version, it was reached by tuberculosis in August 1940 and was withdrawn with Gotenba until the end of the war.

Like all the family members imperial, the prince was exonerated from criminal continuations in front of the Tribunal of Tokyo by Douglas MacArthur.