Princess Mako of Japan Marries Despite Public Opposition... Leaves Royal Family Without Lump Sum Payment Worth 1.6 Billion Won

On that day, Gungnaecheong staff submitted the marriage registration form to the local government
Asahi Shimbun-affiliated weekly magazine Aera survey results
93.3% "Have no intention to bless the couple's marriage"

▲Gomuro Kei (left) and Princess Mako (right)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Princess Mako (30), niece of Emperor Naruhito, defied public opposition and held a wedding ceremony in an unprecedented manner for a member of the royal family.

According to Japanese media including Kyodo News on the 26th, an official from the Imperial Household Agency, responsible for royal affairs, submitted the marriage registration of Princess Mako and Kei Komuro (30) to the local government. The registration was accepted without issue, and Princess Mako and Kei became husband and wife.

Princess Mako took her husband's surname and changed her name to "Mako Komuro."

Despite widespread public opposition in Japan to Mako marrying Kei, the marriage ceremony was effectively completed solely through paperwork without any official celebration.

A lump-sum payment is usually given to princesses who leave the royal family upon marrying a commoner to help them settle, but Princess Mako, mindful of public opinion, expressed her intention not to receive it, marking the first time it was not paid.

▲On the 26th, Princess Mako is seen leaving her home by car to the wedding venue.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

A survey conducted online by Aera, a weekly magazine affiliated with Asahi Shimbun, from September 22 to 28 this year, showed that 93.3% of respondents did not feel inclined to bless the couple's marriage.

Considering the special affection Japanese people generally have for members of the royal family, this is a highly unusual reaction.

The controversy began after the Imperial Household Agency announced their engagement in September 2017 and about three months later, a weekly magazine report surfaced.

Allegations arose that Kei's mother had financial issues with a former fianc?.

As the controversy continued, the Imperial Household Agency announced in February 2018 that the marriage would be postponed, but speculation and weekly magazine reports about Mako and Kei persisted.

Public opinion worsened further with analyses suggesting that the marriage was motivated by the lump-sum payment, which typically amounts to about 1.6 billion yen.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Mako's father, Fumihito, indirectly urged Kei to clear the suspicions during a press conference in November 2018, stating, "If the situation is not one that many citizens can accept and be happy about, it will be difficult to hold a wedding."

However, the couple did not waver in their intention to marry, and eventually Fumihito decided to acknowledge the marriage.

Amid the series of controversies, slander against Mako and Kei intensified, and the Imperial Household Agency announced that Mako was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result.

Kei went to the United States in August 2018 to study at law school and took the New York State bar exam in July this year.

After leaving the royal family on the 26th, Mako is reported to be living with Kei, who returned to Japan in late last month, in an apartment in Shibuya, Tokyo, preparing to move to the United States.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The results of the bar exam are expected to be announced around next month.

The Yomiuri Shimbun predicted that Kei's starting annual salary will be about $205,000 (approximately 240 million won).

Yomiuri also added that due to concerns about public safety in New York, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs might request local police protection.

Even when female members of the royal family marry and leave the royal household but remain in Japan, police sometimes provide temporary protection; however, in Mako's case, since she will soon move to the United States after marriage, it will be difficult for Japanese authorities to provide protection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.