What is princess mako?

Princess Mako of Akishino is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan. She was born on October 23, 1991, and is a member of the Japanese imperial family. Princess Mako is the niece of Emperor Naruhito.

She pursued her education both in Japan and abroad, studying at Gakushuin University in Tokyo where she earned a degree in Art and Cultural Heritage. She also studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and completed a master’s degree in Art Museum and Gallery Studies at the University of Leicester in the UK.

Princess Mako became well-known internationally when her engagement to Kei Komuro, a commoner and former classmate from International Christian University, was announced in 2017. The engagement faced delays due to public controversy over financial issues involving Kei Komuro's family. Despite these challenges, the couple married on October 26, 2021.

As a consequence of her marriage to a commoner, Princess Mako gave up her royal title and left the imperial family, as dictated by Japanese laws governing the imperial household. The couple moved to the United States afterwards. Princess Mako’s situation highlighted broader discussions about the role and traditions of women in the Japanese imperial family.