Japanese Princess Mako To Lose Royal Status By Marrying Commoner

By Carmarlena Murdaca

Japanese Princess Mako To Lose Royal Status By Marrying Commoner

Japanese Princess Mako, the eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, will marry a former classmate, heating up debate on the shrinking royal family since she must become a commoner after marriage.

Japan’s cabinet is expected to approve this week to allow Akihito to step down – the first abdication by a Japanese emperor in nearly two centuries. But the legislation will make no reference to the controversial top of allowing women to stay in the imperial family after marriage, a move conservatives fear would be the first step to letting women inherit the throne.

Mako’s unofficial fiance, Kei Komuru, appeared before media this week, a day after the news of their engagement broke. “Now is not the time for me to commit,” he told reporters. “But I want to speak at the right time.”

There are only four current heirs to the throne – Akhito’s two middle-aged sons, whose wives are in their early 50s, Akhito’s brother and Prince Hishaito, the 10-year-old son of Akhito’s younger son.

 

 

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