Due to scandals surrounding her husband’s financial status, the Crown Prince of Japan revealed that he decided Princess Mako shouldn’t have traditional wedding ceremonies.
Mako, the oldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito as well as a niece to reigning Emperor Naruhito gave up her royal title last month to marry KeiKomuro. It was a simple civil ceremony that did not include traditional Shinto rituals.
Komuro, a New York lawyer, has since relocated the couple to a New York apartment with one bedroom.
Today’s statements by Crown Prince Fumihito (56) stated in a statement that he made an ‘judgment call’ to hold the event without ceremonies due to widespread unease about the financial history of his son.
Mako was the eldest child of Crown Prince Fumihito’s niece and reigning Emperor Naruhito’s nephew. She gave up her title of princess to marry Kei Komuro in a civil ceremony last month. She was told by her father that it was his choice.
There is a dispute over whether Komuro’s mother owes her former fiancé money. Komuro claims she was given money by him to pay for her son’s education. He says it wasn’t paid.
Komuro made a defense of himself after he announced his engagement to Mako. However, it’s not clear if this dispute is resolved. The Japanese public has not accepted it.
Fumihito, who was filmed today, said that his daughter wanted to discuss the topic at a press conference during her wedding, but she decided to withdraw due mental health concerns.
The crown prince explained that Mako had desired a press conference in two ways up until the end, but this was impossible due to Mako’s complex PTSD. He also said it would be better for Komuro to have an ‘opportunity’ to address questions regarding his financial woes.
Japan’s crown prince has attacked the news coverage about his daughter’s recent wedding.
The couple instead read and answered five questions written by journalists.
Fumihito stated that he had sent his daughter to the US on her wedding day, with best wishes and the belief that it was the right thing for them.
The prince also indicated the imperial family might take action against news outlets that publish false information about its members in future.
Akishino, when asked how media coverage could have contributed to his daughter’s diagnosis, said, “If you read tabloids, well, I don’t know how to put this exact – there are many things there that are faked, but there are also opinions we should hear.”
Japan was attracted to Mako and Komuro’s engagement announcement in 2017. The couple met at university.
Akishino said, “As for articles online, there are many comments… some of which say really horrible things,”
Referring to recent cases of suicide by Japanese celebrities after campaigns of criticism on social media, he said: ‘There are people who have been deeply hurt by such slanders on the internet and there are people who lost their lives as a result of that.
“Slanders and words that deeply hurt people should be avoided wherever possible, whether they’re on the internet, or in magazines.”
Some royal watchers suggested that the outrage over Mako’s wedding might have been tempered by more skillful handling by the Imperial Household Agency, (IHA), who runs the family’s affairs, and pointing to similar situations handled overseas by Royals.
According to the prince, he had sent Mako away on her wedding day with his best wishes and best wishes for her future in America. The couple decided that it was the right thing for them. Mako, before her simple marriage ceremony.
Akishino indicated that while the IHA may correct some’mistaken’ information, more work might be necessary.
He stated, “If you’re going to argue against an Article, you must set appropriate standards, and then protest when they are exceeded.”
“Negative Coverage may Continue, therefore I feel it necessary to examine setting such standards in consultation the IHA.”
Family members are expected to weather criticisms with great grace.
Japan is modern in many aspects, but the values of family and woman status in Japan are still seen as archaic and tied to feudal customs.
Hisahito, the 2011 Crown Prince of Denmark with Kiko and Mako his daughters (left and right).
This was reflected in public reactions to the marriage. Because taxpayer money is used to support the imperial family, some Japanese believe they are entitled to have input in these matters.
Others have been married to commoners, and they left the palace. Mako, however, is the only one who has provoked such outrage.
According to polls, up to 80 percent of Japanese disapprove of a marriage ceremony that was performed in Tokyo’s register office.
Pageantry and pomp: Japanese imperial weddings are far different from Princess Mako’s registry office service
Akihito, wearing a sokutai and holding a shaku, a dress reserved for members of the imperial family, at his wedding to Michiko in 1959. After becoming the emperor of Japan and the Empress of China, the couple left the throne.
Japanese Crown Prince Akihito, his Japanese bride Michiko Shoda after the marriage ceremony poses together, before embarking on a triumphant journey through Tokyo streets. For the wedding ceremony, they wore traditional Japanese attire.
After the Japanese royal wedding, Crown Prince Akihito & Crown Princess Michiko were seen greeting well-wishers as they rode on the coach.
After the “Kekkon-no-Gi” wedding ceremony, Prince Akishino (Mako’s parents) poses with Empress Michiko and Emperor Akihito.
Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Crown Princess Masako are now Emperor and Empress.
Many thousands of good-wishers were present in Tokyo to wave flags and cheer the couple as they drove by the open-topped car.
Masako looked stunning in a white gown for her wedding with a twinkling veil as she joined her newly married husband in their car in June 1993