The daughter of Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother has endured years of criticism and procrastination over her marriage plan to also 30-year-old Kei Komuro, who was attacked over allegations her mother borrowed money from a former fiancé and would not have repaid him. This quarrel, which is still not settled, caused a scandal in Japan, where irreproachable behavior is expected from members of the imperial family.
The wedding was postponed and Kei Komuro moved to the United States in 2018 to pursue his law studies. He only returned to Japan last month sporting a front page ponytail that he has since cut.
Despite the negative media tone, and some demonstrations against this union, a little more than half of the population (53%) support it, according to a poll by the daily Yomiuri published on Tuesday, only 33% of those polled saying they did not see it in ‘a good eye.
Compared to Meghan and Harry
The couple are expected to move to New York soon, which inevitably arouses comparisons with another royal couple, British this one: Prince Harry and Megan Markle.
It is not yet known whether Princess Mako will work once there, but she is well qualified, having studied art and cultural heritage at International Christian University in Tokyo, where she met Kei Komuro, and spent a year at the University of Edinburgh. She also holds an MA in Museum Studies from the UK University of Leicester.
In Japan, the throne can only be passed down to male family members, and the children of royal women who marry commoners are not included.
Changing these rules was the subject of debate, and in July a group of government experts compiled notes on the matter, including a proposal to keep royal women in the family, even after their wedding.
However, any change to the system is likely to be long in coming, with hard-line supporters and traditionalists vehemently opposing any measures to allow women to rule.