national

Former Princess Mako, husband leave for New York

90 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2021 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


90 Comments
Login to comment

They are private citizens now. Leave them alone. Enjoy your flight to NYC. This is the best time to go to NYC with the holidays coming up.

29 ( +35 / -6 )

Wishing the newlyweds a safe journey toward a great life now ahead of them. May they find peace together abroad.

24 ( +25 / -1 )

Just leave them alone.

23 ( +28 / -5 )

"Escape TO New York"

22 ( +25 / -3 )

Nobody cares

I always find these kind of comments baffling.

15 ( +31 / -16 )

For those who think this is the end of the never ending story, think again. The big networks will have camera crews at the ready at JFK when the land. Already I read that they bought economy class tickets and ANA upgraded then, and some people were complaining about it. We won't hear the end of this for months or years to come, it is just too easy to report this kind of stuff, and the people eat it up!

14 ( +17 / -3 )

Good

Nobody cares

No. You don't care, along with some others.

But, many, if not most, Japanese care. Even some non-Japanese do.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

All the best. Now let's leave them be to start their new life.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

They already look so relaxed.

I'm delighted for them.

Good luck with your new life and probably in a year's time we will be saying "Kei who?"

is it only the Japanese and British royals who have to put up with this.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

All the best luck to the couple! Hopefully the media hyenas will leave them alone now.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

Good luck to them, now let’s stop reporting on them. They are private people now, respect their privacy.

Media hyenas, like the description, all too accurate!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Your right @Steamboatwille 5:04pm. NYC is one great during the upcoming holiday season. Still, a short train ride out of the city and a private drive together upstate would do them both a world of good.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Bon voyage!

we hope the beautiful couple can now escape from the j press and live their life freely!

9 ( +12 / -3 )

geez man, can they leave them alone, ever???

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Please leave them alone, U busy bodies.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Forgot to add, she is a sweet looking woman but having her hair down really suits her!

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I am very pleased to see her leave all the HATE and Gossips behind , I pray that she has a wonderful life in NY and never return and face these heartless haters.

Congrats on your freedom and have a happy and peaceful life Mrs. Mako. Good Luck.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

YrralToday  12:06 am JST

She can live in the US for 180 days, after she have to get a special visa or leave, Harry is not seeking residence,he in America on a special visa for those with talents

I'm sure his company full of lawyers figured out how to sponsor his visa and for his wife.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

They are going to another country, so what! The security around them is to stop a right winger killing him. I’d move too if the locals are so angry and volatile that my wife, myself are at risk. They were hounded out. Then disparaging comments about leaving? Can’t win leaving is the best option for most “royals”.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Mrs. Kumuro with a position at the Smithsonian waiting

Could you kindly share the link that says she had been offered a job at smithsonia museum.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

GSToday  08:17 pm JST

NY is ridiculously violent place.

They are going to need bodyguards 24/7.

No it's not. Not in the kind of area they'll be living in. Might need bodyguards to fend off Japanse jounalists though.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Good for them. I hope they are happy and the media leave them alone.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Enjoy your new life and freedom from your IHA masters.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@Peter Neil - I know its ridiculous. @Yrall has been harping on about her visa status for weeks. These posters really think they're just going to throw the dice and hope they get lucky? All sorted out ages ago.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I wish them well and a happy life together.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

MarkXToday  05:49 pm JST

Already I read that they bought economy class tickets and ANA upgraded then, 

Are you serious? 13 hours in economy? Jesus...glad they got upgraded.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Bon voyage to the happy couple! Jetting off to NY just in time for the holidays! I'm a tad envious. Christmas in Japan is so depressing.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

... she looks better already.

I hope the little princess can handle NYC - the best city on Earth, but also the craziest.

...

To her I’d like to say:

Be careful, strong and open minded. Good luck !

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Maybe you remember the more unconventional hugging when saying good-bye. She did it all not only for herself and her husband but also for her younger sister. She would also have been locked forever if that wedding had not taken place.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I wish them nothing but the best, now they can be at peace and she doesn't have to deal with the media and the constraints of royal life, living life now as the majority of humanity is doing is new and also challenging, but she will make the adjustment slowly, he aunt did. NYC is great during this time, but I could never understand why anyone would want to live in that city, but as long as they are happy, who cares? It's their life, enjoy it. Nothing is more precious than freedom and choice.

No it's not.

Yes, it is, was up 11.2% in October compared to a year ago. According to the latest DOJ stats.

Not in the kind of area they'll be living in. Might need bodyguards to fend off Japanse jounalists though.

That might be a problem as well in the beginning but I think over time that will subside.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

As recompense for years of unshakable duty Mako Komuro deserves the 150,000,000. yen and the nations respect and gratitude.

Despite the IHA, media, and a nasty, small minded, sneering hoity-toity small section of the public patronizing snobbish beasting of husband Kei.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Yrall…still on about her Visa? Oh man. I am very sure it was sorted a long time ago .

Good luck to them.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Why do you people think he doesn't have a visa sponsored by his company full of lawyers?

Don't a bunch of you understand the concept of a spouse visa yourselves?

Anyway, the paparazzi is already making their lives hell on the first day. They're disgusting.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

YrralToday  05:37 am JST

Kaimy ,she has just as many rights as an legal, the state state department ,has no no authority over legal immigration

Please post in English.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@brian Weway

Its whether not weather .

Yeah the big apple is a bit overrated but these two lovebirds have escaped Japan.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Great life: Broadway, off-Broadway, symphonies, great restaurants, opera, jazz and every other kind of music, and lots of fashion shows, museums and openings. They can mingle with other rich people and enjoy one of the greatest cities in the world. I'm sure they'll find time to travel to other destinations and I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for the former princess.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Yrral: Shallots, nobody in America, knows about her or cares

I imagine that's precisely what she is hoping for, so she can finally be left alone in peace and lead a normal, private life.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Japan will always be their home, no running away from that.

I moved from the UK, is Japan my home?

I haven't stopped attempting convincing myself.

Even though I am a square pen in a round hole.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Japan's absurd mainstream TV channels had spent immense hours about this case than important political issue that related to all people of Japan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

YrralToday  12:06 am JST

She can live in the US for 180 days, after she have to get a special visa or leave,

She will be appying for Permanent Residence Status with her husband, who already has a working visa as petitoner, as soon as she is settlled in NY. Once an application is pending she can legally remain in the U.S. past the 180 days. If she needs to make trips to Japan during that application time, she can get a parole letter that permits re-entry.

It's a good bet that she isn't going to be standing in line with the other immigrants in front of a Federal Building and State Dept will facilitate the process for diplomatic reasons.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Great to see Mr. & Mrs. Komuro have arrived safely and “NYC’s finest” are there to assist them during their transition into a peaceful, private life.- Best Wishes!

@Hideomi Kuze 7:06am: “Japan's absurd mainstream TV channels had spent immense hours about this case than important political issue that related to all people of Japan

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Wishing them the best.

I hope the public obsession dies down soon and they can lead normal lives.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

They actually have a chance at a normal life over there -- something this place would never, ever afford them.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

snowymountainhellToday  08:40 am JST

Great to see Mr. & Mrs. Komuro have arrived safely and “NYC’s finest” are there to assist them during their transition

No you were watching the NY Port Authority Police who have jurisdiction in all transit points, not the "NYC's Finest" NYPD.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

kaimycahlNov. 15  11:20 pm JST

@OssanAmerica INCORRECT!

YrralToday  12:06 am JST

She can live in the US for 180 days, after she have to get a special visa or leave,

You are INCORRECT!!!!! She cannot get "Permanent Residence Status" through her husband, regardless he is not a CITIZEN of the US. A person with a "working visa" can not be a "petitoner"

Komuro already has a Permaent Resident card (ie; a working visa) sponsored through his employer Lowenstein Sandler LLP. Komuro will, if not has already, file an I-130 application under the family second preference category (2A) for his wife. Note that they married first so that he would not be petioning his "fiance" which would take more time. Komuro most certainly will be able to get his wife Permanent Residence status. And being who they are, State Dept will probably ensure their papers are put on the top of the stack.

Best not to yell if you don't know what you are talking about.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I think Japan should change the law and I support women being allowed to rule.

A Japanese Empress next in line could be wonderful and very international as well as inspiring .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Welcome to America, Mako. Make the most of your new life here.

Either way, you're here because you surrendered your royal title to marry a 'commoner' man who really loves you. So WELCOME TO AMERICA and make the most of your opportunities here. Good luck to you and your husband, God bless and live long and prosper.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Bon chance!

0 ( +6 / -6 )

with traditionalists vehemently opposed

Someone is forgetting traditionalist history and only remembering modern history since 1889 when the Meiji Constitution for the first time banned women from becoming empress.

Under Shinto religious influence, the goddess Amaterasu, who is of the highest rank in the kami system, might suggest that Japan's first rulers were women. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles in Japanese mythology, the Emperors of Japan are considered to be direct descendants of Amaterasu.

There have been 8 empresses of Japan.

推古天皇 Suiko Tennō - 593 until 628 was the first and the most famous.

Reference

Empress of Japan - Wikipedia

About 1000 official historical books available anywhere. (If you care to do some research on the facts)

0 ( +4 / -4 )

NY is a very tough place to live for those who live there and want to live there. One must remember this couple life style will be closely guarded in terms of where they live and how they move about. Many in NY would care less about there status and the media that will follow them will only be the paid media stalkers on assignments from JP. Other than that they will have a great live together she may be lonely at times but she will have other Japanese in the community who would be happy to support her while her husband is off to work. Other than that she can finally let her hair down an be free of all the expectations. Her real journey begins and I with both of them the best. It’s sad that one has to leave the country they live in for whatever reasons they chose for life and happiness. Finally they are one and a new way of life begins.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

They are private citizens now. Leave them alone.

Apparently not yet. Japanese TV crew filmed their ANA flight touching the tarmac at New York. And then filmed them coming out and going inside a waiting car.

You can run but you can't hide!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I wonder if they will decorate there apartment in the brown peg board that weve all know about and love to see?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I'm so excited for them!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Sad to see Yomiuri Shimbun taken one last swipe at Kei: “Komuro channels Darth Vader as he brings ex-princess to Big Apple” 12:56pm November 15, 2021 -

https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007990067

Would it have been so bad to announce their safe arrival and start shedding somebody positive light of the young man now responsible for them both? - (Let’s see how media here will treat this story tomorrow morning.)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good for them and i wish them well.

Its incorrect to say she lost her royal title to the throne by marrying a commoner because she chose to marry him.

She wanted to renounce her royal title she didn't lose it.

Besides the word royalty is really a European concept and not from Japan.

Yes women should definitely be allowed to rule .

Traditionalists that vehemently appose equality are the older male generation that are dwindling .

Thank goodness for that dwindling.

The imperial royal ceremony coronation where the Phoenix is used as a symbolic immortality for the male only emperor is clearly and rapidly becoming antiquated.

Traditionally emperors are rulers and not just a figurehead .

Its sad and a little pathetic that the emperor of Japan is not part of the political process.

Thanks to emperor hirohito 124th and the war he started and lost Japan's emperor has not been a leader of the country .

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Of all the places in the world, NY? Pretty sure they will change the address in 6 months.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Freedom is worth every sacrifice, and every loss, Good Luck to both of you.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

OssanAmerica,the State Department got more pressing problem, than some Ex Royal,lots of American that sponsor their spouse or fiance, would raise a kind of hell knowing, she jump the line

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

YrralToday  06:07 am JST

OssanAmerica,the State Department got more pressing problem, than some Ex Royal,lots of American that sponsor their spouse or fiance, would raise a kind of hell knowing, she jump the line

Happens all the time. Immigration processing times for any applicants are not made publically available. And the numbers are not such that it causes any signficant problems for anyone.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Kaimy ,she has just as many rights as an legal, the state state department ,has no no authority over legal immigration

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Yikes, who chose that green sweater?

Talk about bad decisions.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Shallots, nobody in America, knows about her or cares

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

And Mrs. Kumuro with a position at the Smithsonian waiting, 

It's going to have to wait a pretty long time too! She doesnt have a work visa, and her husband, being a foreigner as well, has to establish his visa status as well.

She may have been a "royal" here, but there, she will be just another immigrant, paperwork, red tape, wash rinse repeat, numerous times!

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@OssanAmerica INCORRECT!

YrralToday  12:06 am JST

She can live in the US for 180 days, after she have to get a special visa or leave,

You are INCORRECT!!!!! She cannot get "Permanent Residence Status" through her husband, regardless he is not a CITIZEN of the US. A person with a "working visa" can not be a "petitoner" what she can get his a visa based on his employment status in the US for "WIVES" just like everyone else she will have to leave the US after her 180 days she can not remain in the U.S. past the 180 days. She will have to take a trip back home to Japan and this may be done during the Xmas holiday to show that she did leave the country and yes she can then re-enter. Only because she is of royalty I am sure the Japanese embassy will make sure all of her paperwork is in line with proper procedures and she will not be in a line like other immigrants she will get diplomatic preferences even though she gave up all of her royalty in Japan but just because of who she is on paper it does not go away.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

And this is news because???? I can care less. Big deal!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@kaimycahl - You're right. A person with a working visa in the US has the visa for a specific company only. His wife cannot get permanent residency from her spouse, unless he's a US citizen or a Green Card holder.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

NY is ridiculously violent place.

They are going to need bodyguards 24/7.

I couldn’t agree more. Why would anyone want to live in that hell hole of a city? A woman was raped in Central Park in broad daylight just a few days ago - and such crimes are common. I hope they wise up and move upstate or to New Jersey before something terrible happens.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

> I think Japan should change the law and I support women being allowed to rule.

A Japanese Empress next in line could be wonderful and very international as well as inspiring .

Koizumi tried it, he really wanted that law to be changed, but the older guys voted it down and he took a lot of grief for trying.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Good luck buy my god, why New York. I guess some folks enjoy the concrete jungles. They probably could have cotton a nice house on the outskirts of DC since she’ll be at the Smithsonian.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Apolitical, you can say whatever You want @TokyoJoe 5:46pm but it’s my understanding that “Happy Holidays” has been generally used by many for decades as Nov - Jan encompasses a variety of holidays in North America. A personal favorite since 1997 is “Festivus” but its true origins go back as far as 1966.

So, Mako & Kei Komura would be best served just to say “Happy Holidays” when socializing with others in the States. No one will be offended.

*- @TokyoJoe 5:46pm: [**This is the best time to go to NYC with the holidays coming up.] “When you say holidays do you mean Christmas? Are you not allowed [??] to say Christmas in America?”*

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Who cares and good luck in tiny New York

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

All the best to them. Moving to a better country.

-6 ( +20 / -26 )

I wonder in a couple of years weather if she thinks that she made the right dicission to move to NY, As far as I am concerned I could not go any where near NY its a big toilet of a place, its dirty, noisy, busy, rude people, aggresive and violent, money driven society, I went for a 4 day break there and all I heard was how people are driven and focused on getting money, the taxi we took was a ride from hell, two taxi drivers were sort of racing each other, to the point it was becomming very unnearving to the point of "will this end up in a shoot out?'

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Here is a great comment from Irish commentator Patrick Freyne about the British royal family:

Having a monarchy next door is a little like having a neighbour who’s really into clowns and has daubed their house with clown murals, displays clown dolls in each window and has an insatiable desire to hear about and discuss clown-related news stories. More specifically, for the Irish, it’s like having a neighbour who’s really into clowns and, also, your grandfather was murdered by a clown.

With the Japanese tabloids having gone into overdrive over Mako & Kei, I wonder if Koreans are starting to think the same thing about their proximity to Japan.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

"Heavily guarded by police and airport officials"

Heavily guarded by police and airport officials in very, very safe Japan, yet destined for New York city which is heavily riddled with violent crime. The irony. Royalty in New York city are like sitting ducks unless they have security with them 24/7.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Good riddance. Also, when is ponytail guy's "wonderful" mother going to join the lovebirds in NY???

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

NY is ridiculously violent place.

They are going to need bodyguards 24/7.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

Just wait until the homeless in NYC start harassing the heck out of her. I'm sure Naomi Watanabe can become a BFF.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

She can live in the US for 180 days, after she have to get a special visa or leave, Harry is not seeking residence,he in America on a special visa for those with talents

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

This her 1st ever commercial flight? Wonder if they got upgraded.

-11 ( +8 / -19 )

New York, smart move. Following in the footsteps of Harry and Mrs Hewitt.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Nobody cares

-14 ( +18 / -32 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites