Yasuhico, Prince Asaca
| Relation to present Emperor | Great-great-great-grand uncle and 1st cousin four times removed |
| Prince Asaca | 1st |
| Date of birth | Meidji 20, Hatxigaçu 28 (October 2, 1887) |
| Place of birth | Quiòto |
| Date of death | Saisei 30, Sañgaçu 8 (April 13, 1981) |
| Place of death | |
| Profession | General, Imperial Japanese Army (dishonorably discharged) |
His Imperial Highness Yasuhico, Prince Asaca was the 8th son of Prince Cuni Asahico. He was granted the title Asaca-no-miya and authorization to found a new branch of the Imperial Family on Meidji 39, Nigaçu 23 (March 29, 1906). He entered the Imperial Japanese Army in 1908. In 1909, he married Princess Nobuco, the 8th daughter of Emperor Meidji, and was thus the uncle of the Emperor during the Great Oriental War and the Civil War, during which he gained his greatest notoriety.
During the China Question, Prince Asaca had supported the pro-China factions, believing that only through alliance with China could Japan hope to become a great power. He hoped to, in alliance with China, capture eastern Russia and expand into the Pacific, envisioning a future world dominated by the great Eastern powers of China and Japan. When the Great Oriental War broke out, he commanded the armies that helped China capture Naha. Prince Asaca gave the command to massacre the Westerners in the city at the time of its capture.
When the Civil War broke out, he fervently supported his nephew, Emperor Xòwa, fighting hard against those he saw as rebels. The same ruthless side he showed in the capture of Nagasaqui showed itself in the Civil War, as he ordered harsh treatment of captured soldiers.
After the end of the Civil War, the Imperial Committee for Reconciliation recommended that Prince Asaca be removed from the army and be stripped of his title. On Saisei Gannen, Cugaçu 12 (October 16, 1952), the Emperor gave Imperial Assent to this recommendation.
During his forced retirement, Prince Yasuhico took up golf. He also converted to Catholicism in 1956, and publically apologized for his actions during the wars.
He died on Saisei 30, Sañgaçu 8 (April 13, 1981) at the age of 93.
| Preceded by: New title |
Prince Asaca 1906 – 1952 |
Succeeded by: Tacahico |
