Annual Salary from 50 Million Won to 360 Million Won... Husband of Japanese Princess Rapidly Promoted at Law Firm

Legal Assistant as a 'Contract Attorney' in Charge of U.S. Foreign Investment-Related Tasks

It has been reported that Mako, the former Japanese princess's husband, has become a lawyer affiliated with a law firm in New York, USA. Previously, Mako, the former princess, made headlines by insisting on marrying a commoner despite giving up her royal status.

Recently, the Japanese monthly magazine "Josei Jishin" reported that Mako's husband, Komuro, is working at a law firm called Lowenstein Sandler (LS). His position was promoted from "legal assistant" to "contract attorney." The media also added, "Perhaps recognized for his abilities, new duties were added at the end of last month." Currently, the new task Komuro has taken on is related to "CFIUS," the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

The eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, Princess Mako (right), and Kei Komuro. (Photo by AP Yonhap News)

Komuro obtained his New York State bar license in February last year. At the time of his marriage to former Princess Mako, his annual salary was only 6 million yen (about 50 million KRW). However, after obtaining his attorney qualification, it more than doubled to 20 million yen (about 180 million KRW), and within just one year, it rose to 40 million yen (about 360 million KRW).

The media viewed the background of Komuro's salary increase as stemming from the fierce competition for talent in the recent U.S. legal industry. The competition among firms to poach personnel has intensified, leading to an increase in firms offering exceptional compensation.

Mr. Gomo, the husband of former Princess Mako and a lawyer at Lowenstein Sandler LLP.
[Image source=Lowenstein Sandler official website]

International reporter Toshihiro Yamada noted, "The field Komuro is in charge of involves national security and foreign investment in the U.S.," adding, "These matters will continue to increase in the future."

However, he also predicted, "Komuro's career advancement may not necessarily be entirely good news for Mako," and "As his workload increases at LS, their dating time will sharply decrease."

Meanwhile, former Princess Mako married Komuro in 2021. The couple submitted only a marriage registration form to the local government without any formal ceremony and then boarded a flight to the United States. It was said to be an unprecedented and unconventional marriage method in the Japanese imperial family.

The reason former Princess Mako hurried to marry is presumed to be due to opposition from public opinion. At that time, there was a strong voice in Japan opposing Mako's marriage. Conscious of public opinion, Mako expressed her intention not to receive the settlement money given to those leaving the imperial family.