Japan’s Princess Mako to marry boyfriend Kei Komuro by year-end

The niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito may start a new life with her husband in the US in a rare decision, a government source said

She is likely to decline a lump-sum payment of up to US$1.36 million usually given to women upon their departure from the imperial household

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Princess Mako and Kei Komuro pictured in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Kyodoin Tokyo

Published: 2:37pm, 1 Sep 2021Updated: 8:33pm, 1 Sep 2021

Princess Mako, a niece of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, and her boyfriend Kei Komuro will marry by the year-end and may start a new life in the United States, but in a rare decision will not hold the usual related ritual ceremonies, a government source said on Wednesday.

Amid public unease about their marriage due to a money dispute between Komuro’s mother and her former fiancé, the princess is likely to decline a lump-sum payment of up to about 150 million yen (US$1.36 million) usually given to female royal family members upon their departure from the household, the source said.

Under the current rules, female imperial family members lose their royal status upon marrying a commoner.

The marriage of the princess and Komuro, both 29, has been postponed for over two years due to the dispute over 4 million yen that the former fiancé claims the mother owes him. The sum includes money spent on Komuro’s educational expenses.

If the princess marries Komuro without traditional ceremonies, she would be the first female imperial family member to skip them in post-war Japan.

The rites are an official engagement ceremony called “Nosai no Gi”, in which the families of the betrothed exchange gifts, and a “Choken no Gi” ceremony to officially meet with the emperor and empress before marriage.

Crown Prince Fumihito, the emperor’s younger brother, has said he approves of his daughter’s marriage to Komuro. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

Japan’s Princess Mako to marry boyfriend Kei Komuro by year-end

The niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito may start a new life with her husband in the US in a rare decision, a government source said She is likely to decline a lump-sum payment of up to US$1.36 million usually given to women upon their departure from the imperial household

The niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito may start a new life with her husband in the US in a rare decision, a government source said

She is likely to decline a lump-sum payment of up to US$1.36 million usually given to women upon their departure from the imperial household