Yasuko was born at Numazu Imperial Villa, Numazu, In her childhood, Konoe attended Gakushuin Elementary School and then Gakushuin Women's Secondary School.
She later completed her studies by graduating from the Department of Japanese Language and Literature, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University.
Upon her marriage, she left the Imperial House of Japan and took the surname of her husband.
[1] Tadateru Konoe is the younger brother of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and adopted grandson (and heir) of former Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe.
Through Tadahiro and his wife, Keiko Kuni (m. 10 April 2004), Konoe has three grandchildren: two boys and one girl.