The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-25
MADE JAP REGENT
Prince HirOhitO Assumes Duties
of Japanese Throne.
Performed Part of MikadO'S
Work Since He Was Fifteen.
WELL KNOWN ABROAD
Emperor Father Broke Tradi-
tiOn to Send Him on Tour.
New Regent Close Student of
All Foreign Progress.
tBy the Associated Press.J

tBy Inc ASSOc1dIeQ PreSS.J
Toxic, Nov. 25-Crown Prince
Hirohito has been designated regent
Of Japan.
Proclamation of the prince as re-
gent follows reports that illness Of
the emperor was more serious than
official announcement regarding his
health indicated.
For many months the newspapers
of Japan have refrained from dis
cussing the emperor's health, under
official orders.
Crown Prince Michi-No- Miya, of
Japan, was born April 20, 1901 and was
proclaimed heir apparent in 1912
when his father became emperor at
the death of Mutsuhito and was for
mally consecrated as Crown Prince in
1915.
Prince Michi, as he is called, Is a
major of infanty in the Japanese army
and a lieutenant commander in the
navy. He has always been a close
student of history and geography and,
since 1919, when he attained his ma
Jority, has participated in the cOun-
ellis of the imperial family and oc-
eupied a seat in the house of peers
in the imperial diet.
He Thirsts for knowledge.
He is said to possess "an observing
disposition, a retentive memory and
desire for knowledge"
s Beginning when he was six years
old, he received a commond school
private. tutors in the Imperial Educa-
tfon institute at Toxic.
} In May, 1920, the illness of Emperor
Yoshihito had become so grave that
he relinquished some of his duties to
Prince AIichi and the prince received
foreign diplomats on an important
state function. In the spring of 1921.
the Emperor broke an ancient Japan
ese tradition by sending the crown
prince on a visit to Europe.
Many Honorary Orders.
It was reported at that time that
ais proposed tour abr Dad was due TO
an intrigue to annuI his enga cement
to marry the Princess 1agako. About
this time there was a movement to
have him declared prince regent ow-
ing to the long continued illness of his
father Before he sailed for Europe,
it was announced in Toxic that his
wedding would take place after he re-
turned from abroad.
In. the spring of 1921, the prince
visited England. Scotland, France,
Belgium, Holland and Italy-the first
Japanese prince who ever left his ma
tive country. He was accompanied by
Admiral Togo, who for a number of
years had directed his education. He
was made an honorary general in the
British army and knight of the Or
der of the Bath by King George and
was entertained by the royal houses
Of other nations and received in audi
ence by Pope Benedict.
In IN interview in London. the
prince said he looked forward to a
visit to the United States at some
other time
Prince Is Progressive.
Upon his return to Toxic. after sew
en- months absence, the crown prince
issued a message to the nation, in
which he said he appreciated the hos
pitality and courtesy accorded him
everywhere and that he believed his
trip would be helpful to Japan. "I
confess he added, that there are a
number Of things which we Japan
ese have yet to learn from the coun-
tries visited
'It is my ardent wish that the
whole nation apply itself with redou-
bled energy to the promotion of ma
tlonal prosperity by adopting whatever
is good that foreign countries pos
seSs.''
Appointment Was Expected.
Washington. Nov. 25.-The an
nouncement from Toxic of the re-
Japanese circles here as the recent
tour of the crown prince to Europe
generally was understood to have been
the first step in these arrangements to
give Hirohito the conduct Of the en-
pire because of the continued Illness
of the emperor. This tour, which was
quite extensive was arranged in order
that before taking up the duties of
regency the young crown prince would
have an opportunity to study foreign
land and foreign customs.
Representative Japan today en-
phasiZed how much this visit to west
ern countries had meant for Japan
1t was recalled that when the crown
prince returned to Toxic he made a
memorable speech to the people in
which he frankly admitted that Japan
had much to learn from western coun-
tries and that all the subjects of the
empire must strive their utmost to
bring to Japan to the high develop
ment necessary for her national pro-
greSs