The Empress Dowager, the widow of Emperor Showa, died Friday afternoon, two days after she began experiencing breathing difficulties, the Imperial Household Agency said. She was 97.
The Empress Dowager died at 4:46 p.m. at Fukiage Palace within the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo, said Sadame Kamakura, grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency. Her condition worsened shortly after 7 a.m.
The Emperor and Empress were with her at the time of her death. The Emperor had not slept since Thursday night and had kept vigil at his mother's side, agency sources said.