- Title: File footage of Japan's Princess Mako, who is set to marry college sweetheart
- Date: 22nd October 2021
- Summary: In September 2017, Mako and Komuro held a news conference when the engagement was announced. TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - SEPTEMBER 3, 2017) (AGENCY POOL) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PRINCESS MAKO AND KOMURO BOWING AT NEWS CONFERENCE PRINCESS MAKO AND KOMURO SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) PRINCESS MAKO SAYING: "I'll be happy if I can make a warm and comfortable home f
- Embargoed: 5th November 2021 00:29
- Keywords: Japan Kei Komuro Prince Akishino Princess Mako Tokyo daughter family marriage royal
- Location: TOKYO, NARITA, JAPAN / COPAN, TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS / LIMA, PERU
- City: TOKYO, NARITA, JAPAN / COPAN, TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS / LIMA, PERU
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA006F08NY2T
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Japan's Princess Mako, the emperor's niece, will be married next week after years of criticism over her fiance that led to their marriage being postponed for three years and resulted in her being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mako, who turns 30 on Saturday (October 23), will lose her royal status after marrying commoner Kei Komuro, also 30. The two are set to live in the United States, where Komuro has a job with a law firm.
Their Tuesday (October 26) marriage will mainly consist of filing paperwork, then holding a news conference. While marrying out of royalty isn't uncommon in Japan, the lack of pomp for a royal wedding is. Mako even turned down the usual $1.3 million payment given to women leaving the family.
An engagement first cheered by the Japanese people soon became troubled as tabloids reported a financial dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance, with the man claiming mother and son hadn't repaid a debt of about $35,000. Komuro has said the money was provided as a gift, not a loan. In 2021, he issued a 24-page explanation and also said he would pay a settlement.
Komuro returned to Japan in September but his casual ponytail caused a media frenzy as it was deemed "disrespectful." He visited Mako's parents earlier this week in a dark suit and tie, ponytail shorn. Tabloids still sniped he arrived late due to traffic jams.
Ordinary Japanese have mixed feelings, opinion polls show. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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