TOKYO – Japan’s Princess Mako is set to forego a one-off million-dollar payment for giving up her royal status to wed a college classmate, reported the media yesterday, clearing the way for a marriage delayed for years by controversy over her fiance.
The 29-year-old granddaughter of then Emperor Akihito and her former classmate Kei Komuro announced their engagement in 2017.
But, the marriage was put off after reports of a financial dispute between Komuro’s mother and her ex-fiance.
The government is set to agree that the princess forego the payment, worth up to US$1.35 million (RM5.6 million), for royals giving up their status to marry commoners, amid public criticism over her fiance, said public broadcaster NHK and other outlets.
NHK said the wedding date may be announced next month.
Officials at the Imperial Household Agency were not immediately available for comment.
A Japanese broadcaster, anticipating an imminent wedding, recently tracked down Komuro in New York. He was shown sporting a ponytail, a detail that has caused an uproar among some Japanese Twitter users.
The media has said the couple plan to live in the United States. Under Japan’s males-only royal succession law, female members of the imperial family lose their status upon marrying commoners. – Reuters, September 26, 2021
