A funeral and entombment ceremony, called Renso-no-Gi, for late Princess Mikasa began at a burial ground in Tokyo on Tuesday morning.

The Princess passed away due to old age at a Tokyo hospital on November 15. She was 101 years old.

A vehicle carrying the Princess' coffin left her residence at the Akasaka Estate in central Tokyo at around 9 a.m. with her employees and servants looking on.

The procession arrived at the Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward after passing the Imperial Palace.

The Princess' coffin was then carried by pallbearers with Imperial Family members, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and other mourners watching.
A farewell service began shortly after 10 a.m. after the coffin was placed on a platform at the venue.

A condolence message was read out. Then delegates for the Emperor, Empress, Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita bade the late Princess a solemn farewell.

The late Princess' granddaughter, Princess Akiko, who serves as chief mourner, and other Imperial Family members, including Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, also made speeches.

The Emperor and Empress, as well as the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, were absent from the ceremony in accordance with the traditional practices of the Imperial Family.

Members of the general public will also be able to pay their respects at the site from 11:50 to 12:40 and from 13:40 to 14:40.