Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito and fifth in line to the throne, is being treated for alcoholism at a palace hospital, the Imperial Household Agency announced Friday.
Specialists decided that Prince Tomohito, 61, should be hospitalized for at least a month rather than being treated at his palace residence because he is suffering from severe insomnia and having difficulty swallowing, a statement from the agency said.
Staff from a nationally operated alcoholism treatment center will head the medical team overseeing his rehabilitation, the statement said.
The prince has been hospitalized for numerous ailments in recent years. Last year, he successfully underwent surgery to treat throat cancer.
