Latest news with #EmperorNaruhito
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Japan's palace confirms former princess Mako has first baby
Former Japanese princess Mako Komuro has given birth to her first child, palace officials confirmed Friday, though they gave no details, saying she is no longer a royal member. The Imperial Household Agency said both the mother and child are in good health, but did not disclose the baby's date of birth or gender. The former princess, 33, is a niece of Emperor Naruhito. She married a former college classmate Kei Komuro, a commoner, and renounced her royal status in 2021 as required by Japan's Imperial House Law. Days after their marriage, the couple moved to New York where her husband works as a lawyer. Officials said that while the birth involved a former royal, the palace decided to publicly confirm the news after media reports earlier this month on the baby's arrival. They added that they hoped Mako would live in a quiet environment. Mako's parents, Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Kiko, and younger siblings — Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito — are delighted and wished Mako's family happiness, officials said. Japanese tabloid magazine Josei Seven recently published images of Mako and Kei Komuro seen walking with a baby stroller in a neighborhood of New York. Mako and her husband met at Tokyo's International Christian University. They announced in September 2017 their intention to marry the following year, but the wedding was suspended for four years due to a financial dispute involving Kei Komuro's mother. Due to the controversy, Mako also declined a dowry to which she was entitled for leaving the imperial family. Mako's loss of royal status comes from the Imperial House Law, which allows only male succession. The rule leaves only Akishino and his son Hisahito in line to succeed Naruhito. A government panel is discussing a more stable succession system, but conservatives reject female succession and only plan to allow female royals to help perform public duties after marriage.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Japan's palace confirms former princess Mako has first baby
TOKYO (AP) — Former Japanese princess Mako Komuro has given birth to her first child, palace officials confirmed Friday, though they gave no details, saying she is no longer a royal member. The Imperial Household Agency said both the mother and child are in good health, but did not disclose the baby's date of birth or gender. The former princess, 33, is a niece of Emperor Naruhito. She married a former college classmate Kei Komuro, a commoner, and renounced her royal status in 2021 as required by Japan's Imperial House Law. Days after their marriage, the couple moved to New York where her husband works as a lawyer. Officials said that while the birth involved a former royal, the palace decided to publicly confirm the news after media reports earlier this month on the baby's arrival. They added that they hoped Mako would live in a quiet environment. Mako's parents, Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Kiko, and younger siblings — Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito — are delighted and wished Mako's family happiness, officials said. Japanese tabloid magazine Josei Seven recently published images of Mako and Kei Komuro seen walking with a baby stroller in a neighborhood of New York. Mako and her husband met at Tokyo's International Christian University. They announced in September 2017 their intention to marry the following year, but the wedding was suspended for four years due to a financial dispute involving Kei Komuro's mother. Due to the controversy, Mako also declined a dowry to which she was entitled for leaving the imperial family. Mako's loss of royal status comes from the Imperial House Law, which allows only male succession. The rule leaves only Akishino and his son Hisahito in line to succeed Naruhito. A government panel is discussing a more stable succession system, but conservatives reject female succession and only plan to allow female royals to help perform public duties after marriage.
NHK
3 days ago
- General
- NHK
Japan's former Princess Mako gives birth: Imperial Household Agency
Japan's Imperial Household Agency says former Princess Mako has given birth. The top official in charge of Crown Prince Akishino's household, Yoshida Naomasa, made the announcement at a regular news conference on Friday. He said he had hoped the former princess would be in a quiet environment, but decided to announce the arrival of her child after some media outlets reported the news. Yoshida said he does not know the sex of the baby, or the date of birth. He said the Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito wished the family happiness. Mako is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and a niece of Emperor Naruhito. She married college classmate Komuro Kei in October 2021 and moved to the US the following month. Japanese princesses leave the Imperial household and become a commoner when they marry outside the Imperial family.
Japan Times
23-05-2025
- Japan Times
Princess Aiko to visit Laos in November as first official foreign trip
Princess Aiko will visit Laos in November, her first official visit overseas, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. According to the agency, Japan received an invitation from Laos this month as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. After flying to Laos by civil aircraft, the princess will make a courtesy visit to Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith. She will also attend a commemorative anniversary event. The exact date of her trip has yet to be decided. In 2006, the princess, then 4, accompanied her parents, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on their trip to the Netherlands. When she was a second-year student of Gakushuin Girls' Senior High School in 2018, she studied at Eton College in Britain on a short summer program. Imperial Family members have visited Laos four times, including Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko in 1999 and Emperor Naruhito in 2012 as crown prince.
NHK
19-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan's Princess Aiko visits shops run by people affected by Noto quake
Japan's Princess Aiko has visited temporary shops in Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, run by people affected by the massive earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day last year. On the second day of her visit to the central Japanese prefecture on Monday, the princess received a briefing from Shika Mayor Inaoka Kentaro on the progress of reconstruction works. She then visited a group of temporary shops that opened in August last year. Five shops are operating, including a supermarket and a restaurant. The daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako asked the owners about their businesses and how they are procuring food and ingredients. The owner of a "takoyaki" octopus dumpling shop told her that he is scheduled to move into a new shop which he built next spring, and the princess congratulated him. She also spoke to people who came to greet her. A woman said she was living with her two cats in temporary housing next to the shops. The princess replied that it's nice to spend time with cats. Princess Aiko later met volunteers working in the town before returning to Tokyo.
