TOKYO, May 30 (News On Japan) - Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.
Komuro, formerly Princess Mako, became engaged in 2017 to Kei Komuro, whom she met during her university years. At the time, she described him as having "a smile as bright as the sun," while Kei said Mako watched over him "like the quiet moon." The couple appeared visibly happy, but their path was soon clouded by controversy.
In 2018, a financial dispute emerged involving Kei's mother and her former fiancé, centering on over 4 million yen. This led to a delay in the traditional Imperial marriage-related ceremonies and calls from Prince Akishino for the couple to properly address the situation.
Later, in 2021, Kei Komuro released a detailed 28-page document explaining the background of the financial matter. That same year, four years after their engagement was first announced, the two were formally married.
Mako stated at the time, "Kei is irreplaceable to me. Marriage was a necessary choice to protect our hearts as we live our lives." Kei also expressed his devotion, saying, "I love Mako. I want to spend my one and only life with the person I love."
The couple moved to the United States in November 2021 and have remained there since. Their first child marks the birth of the Akishino couple's first grandchild. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Akishino family is delighted by the news and wishes the Komuro family a happy life together.
The agency did not reveal the child’s birth date or gender.
The marriage of Mako Komuro (formerly Princess Mako) and Kei Komuro was one of the most high-profile and controversial unions in modern Japanese imperial history, largely due to a protracted financial scandal and intense media scrutiny that spanned several years.
Mako and Kei met while attending International Christian University in Tokyo and announced their engagement in September 2017. The couple’s public appearance was warm and hopeful, with Mako describing Kei's smile as “bright as the sun” and Kei calling her a quiet, supportive presence “like the moon.” Their relationship was initially celebrated by the public, but trouble soon followed.
In late 2017, Japanese tabloids reported that Kei’s mother had been involved in a financial dispute with her former fiancé. The issue concerned roughly 4 million yen (approximately $36,000 at the time), which the former fiancé claimed was a loan meant to support Kei’s education, while Kei’s side maintained that it was a gift. The dispute quickly became a national controversy, with critics questioning the Komuro family's suitability for marrying into the imperial lineage, even though Mako was to leave the royal family upon marriage.
As the scandal deepened, the Imperial Household Agency announced in early 2018 that the couple's wedding—originally planned for that year—would be postponed. Prince Akishino, Mako’s father, later commented publicly that the couple should respond properly to the concerns raised by the financial issue. This was widely interpreted as a call for Kei to settle or clarify the matter before proceeding with the marriage.
In April 2021, after years of silence, Kei Komuro released a 28-page document detailing his side of the financial story, aiming to clear his name and address the public's concerns. Despite his effort, public sentiment remained divided. Later that year, Kei returned to Japan after completing his law studies in the United States and was met with a media frenzy.
Mako and Kei officially married in October 2021, forgoing traditional wedding rites and ceremonies typically associated with imperial family unions. Mako also declined the customary 150 million yen lump-sum payment given to women who leave the royal family upon marriage, signaling her intent to distance the marriage from state and public support. She was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) prior to the wedding, which palace doctors attributed in part to years of sustained media pressure and public backlash.
Shortly after the marriage, the couple moved to New York City, where Kei began working at a law firm.
After their engagement was announced in 2017, Komuro’s decision to study law in the United States was seen as both a personal ambition and a practical step toward securing financial independence for their future together—especially in light of the media storm surrounding his family's financial issues.
In 2018, amid growing scrutiny over the unresolved monetary dispute involving his mother, Komuro left Japan to attend Fordham University’s School of Law in New York. This move was interpreted by some as a way to distance himself from the controversy, but also as a serious effort to establish a professional career abroad. He enrolled in a three-year program and received a scholarship awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential.
While Komuro was in the U.S., public attention in Japan remained focused on his legal progress. Many viewed his success or failure in becoming a lawyer as symbolic of his ability to provide a stable life for Mako outside the Imperial family. In 2021, he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham and later passed the New York State bar exam in July 2022—on his third attempt. His earlier failures were widely reported in Japan and fueled further criticism, but his eventual success allowed the couple to take a significant step toward settling into an independent life in the U.S.
After passing the bar, Komuro began working at a prominent law firm in Manhattan, reportedly in the corporate law division. His career path enabled the couple to establish financial autonomy, and it was also framed as a gesture of commitment and seriousness toward building a life with Mako away from royal privilege. For supporters, his persistence in overcoming both academic and public challenges demonstrated a level of resolve that paralleled Mako’s own decision to marry for love despite intense societal pressure.
Source: TBS
