Princess Mako of Akishino is now officially Mako Komuro.
By Sophie MacDonald ’25
Staff Writer
Princess Mako of Akishino is now officially Mako Komuro, after marrying her fiance Kei Komuro on Oct. 26, 2021, at a registry office in Tokyo. The couple’s union came after months of intense scrutiny from the Japanese media and public, specifically stemming from Kei’s commoner background and financial status. Article 12 of Japan’s Imperial House Law states, “In case a female of the Imperial Family marries a person other than the Emperor or the members of the Imperial Family, she shall lose the status of the Imperial Family member.” In marrying outside the Imperial family, the Princess has consequently lost her place in the Japanese royal family, and has moved to New York City with her husband, who is a lawyer.
The couple first met as students at Tokyo’s International Christian University, where Mako studied art and cultural heritage. After graduation, Kei moved to the United States, earning a Juris Doctor from Fordham University in New York City. Even while separated, the couple maintained a long-distance relationship and were engaged in 2017.
Most of the media scrutiny directed at Kei targeted his financial background and a controversy involving his mother. Kei’s family was involved in a financial dispute over 4 million yen ($35,000) that also covers his education, Kyodo News reported. In response to the scathing criticism from the Japanese public, [Kei] released a 28-page document detailing the controversy surrounding his mother and planning for resolution.
Many Japanese internet users were quick to express their disapproval of Kei, with many criticizing his background and questioning his intentions with Mako. Kei was seen with a ponytail on Sept. 27, 2021 at Narita airport by the press, which triggered critique from Japanese society, which, according to Hitomi Tonomura, a women’s and gender studies professor at the University of Michigan, the Japanese society view Kei’s ponytail as a sign of his non-conforming attitude towards social expectation, especially since Japanese are expected to dress and act according to their social status and role. Tomomura told CNN that, “If he were a singer or artist, it would be fine, but people think he is not ‘lawyer-like’ nor looking appropriate for a person who will wed a royal woman.” Much of the sentiment was expressed online and through the media. But on their wedding day, there was a physical protest against the union, with hundreds of Tokyo residents pouring into the streets to condemn the couple.
In a New York Times article, Professor Kumiko Nemoto of Senshu University in Tokyo elaborated on the criticism, stating, “Part of it is that [Kei] was not very submissive to Japanese values because he went to international school [and] is a fluent English speaker.” People within the Japanese community are expected to sacrifice part of themselves to society and their family. Contrary to this expectation, [Kei] is more “individualistic, trying to prove himself by accomplishing something professionally,” Nemoto continued.
Mount Holyoke Professor of anthropology Joshua Hotaka Roth does not find the negative press surprising, commenting, “Princess Mako’s mother herself is a commoner, but her father was a college professor. The current emperor’s wife was also a commoner, but from a high-powered family. [Kei]’s family is relatively less successful, which makes the match seem even less appropriate.” Roth added that, “From the perspective of the Imperial Household Agency, her marriage and subsequent loss of status as a member of the family was a further crisis for the future of the Imperial Household itself, which had dwindled in number, leading to questions about whether a male heir will be available for a future succession to the throne. As of now, the line of succession would bypass the daughter of the Emperor and go to his brother, Prince Akishino, and then to Akishino’s son, Prince Hisahito — Princess Mako’s little brother.” Roth said, “If anything happened to him, the Imperial line would end. Unless the government amended the Constitution to allow women to take the throne once again.”
Amy Fujioka ’25, an international student from Japan, added, “For me, it was not surprising that there are a lot of negative rumors and press because … [Kei] is facing a lot of monetary troubles. I personally am glad for their marriage.” Fujioka expressed that though “Princess Mako suffered from mental illness due to numerous [tabloid] criticisms,” that may not be as much of an issue now, as she will be away from the Japanese tabloids, having departed from the royal family. Still, Fujioka continued, “it is doubtful that [Kei] has the financial whereabout to support her,” now that she is cut off from her family’s economic support.
Professor of Japanese Naoko Nemoto said that from now on, “the Japanese newspapers [will change] the way they call her from ‘Mako-sama’ to ‘Mako-san,’ as she got married and withdrew herself from the Royal status.”
The couple, who were dubbed “Japan’s Harry and Meghan,” by the tabloids, held a press conference following their wedding on Oct. 26, defending their relationship and expressing their love for each other.
“Kei is irreplaceable for me,” Mako said. “For us, marriage is a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.” She also apologized for the controversy, stating, “I am grateful for those … who have continued to support me,” Japanese Broadcasting Corporation reported.
The groom expressed similar sentiments, commenting, “I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love. I feel very sad that Mako has been in a bad condition, mentally and physically, because of the false accusations.”