Marriage of Japanese Princess Delayed Due to Financial Issues... Becomes a Hot Topic with Royal Approval

Marriage delayed due to financial issues in partner's family
Recently, Crown Prince granted marriage approval

▲Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino (center) and Princess Mako (left) along with other members of the Japanese Imperial Family [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Akishino-no-miya Fumihito (55), the Crown Prince of Japan, has become a focal point of intense interest by announcing his approval of the marriage of his eldest daughter, Princess Mako (29).

This is because there has been controversy in the past, including delays in approving Princess Mako’s marriage due to financial issues related to her fianc?’s family.

Princess Mako announced her engagement in September 2017 to Kei Komuro (29), a university classmate from International Christian University who works as an office worker at a law firm in Tokyo.

In November of the same year, it was also announced that the wedding would take place on November 4, 2018.

However, in February 2018, the Imperial Household Agency, which handles affairs of the Japanese Imperial Family, suddenly announced that Princess Mako’s marriage would be postponed until 2020.

At that time, the Imperial Household Agency cited insufficient preparation time as the reason, but there was speculation that it was due to reports in Japanese weekly magazines about financial issues involving Komuro’s mother.

Afterwards, the issue of Princess Mako’s marriage, which had faded from attention due to the abdication of former Emperor Akihito (87) and the accession of Emperor Naruhito (60), resurfaced as Princess Mako recently reaffirmed her intention to marry and Crown Prince Fumihito announced his approval of the marriage.

At a press conference held on the 20th of last month to mark his 55th birthday (November 30), Crown Prince Fumihito acknowledged Princess Mako’s marriage but also demanded clarification regarding the financial issues involving Komuro’s mother.

Japanese media also gave significant coverage to Princess Mako’s marriage issue. In particular, weekly magazines repeatedly reported in detail on the financial problems of Komuro’s family.

According to Japanese media, the timing of Princess Mako’s marriage remains uncertain due to factors such as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).