Japan’s former Princess Mako has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on Friday. Few immediate details were released, with palace officials confirming only that both the mother and child were in good health. The gender and specific date of birth for the baby were not disclosed.
The child is the first grandchild for Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Mako’s parents. The announcement from the Imperial Household Agency came after media reports had already begun to circulate regarding the birth. Naomasa Yoshida, the Grand Master of the Crown Prince’s Household, stated, “This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment. We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports [about the birth].”
Mako Komuro, 33, who is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, left the Japanese royal family in 2021. She relinquished her royal status to marry Kei Komuro, her former classmate from International Christian University in Tokyo, a decision required by Japan’s Imperial House Law for female royals who marry commoners. Following their marriage, the couple moved to New York, where Mr. Komuro is a lawyer.
Her departure from the royal family and subsequent move to the United States drew comparisons to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who similarly chose to step back from royal duties for a more private life. At a press event following their marriage registration, Mako had addressed the public scrutiny, stating, “I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused and I am grateful for those … who have continued to support me. For me, Kei is irreplaceable — marriage was a necessary choice for us.” Mr. Komuro, also 33, added, “I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love.”
Mako and Mr. Komuro first met at a college study-abroad event in Tokyo in 2013 and announced their engagement in 2017. However, their wedding was delayed for several years due to a financial dispute involving Mr. Komuro’s mother, which led to significant public and media scrutiny. During this period, reports indicated that Mako suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the intense media attention.
Read more: Japan’s Princess Mako steps down to marry college fiance
Upon her marriage, Mako notably declined a payment of approximately $1.3 million, traditionally provided by the Japanese government to royal women who lose their status upon marrying a commoner. She became the first imperial family member since World War Two to forgo this payment, a decision widely seen as a response to the public criticism surrounding her union.
Broader Implications for the Monarchy
The birth of the child occurs within a broader context of ongoing discussions about the future of the Japanese Imperial Family, particularly concerning its restrictive succession laws. The Imperial House Law allows only male succession, leading to concerns about a shrinking pool of male heirs.
Emperor Naruhito himself made rare public comments last year regarding the challenges facing the imperial household. He noted, “The number of male members of the imperial family is decreasing, they are ageing, and female members of the imperial family leave the imperial family upon marriage.” He concluded, “Due to these factors, the number of members of the imperial family who can take on public duties is decreasing compared to before.”
The arrival of a new member to the Komuro family in New York underscores the private lives forged by former royals, even as the broader institution continues to grapple with its traditions and future.
