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Gov't to accept Princess Mako's decision to decline ¥150 mil marriage money

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Get the money!

We are paying your expensive lifestyle and palaces. Help us with the bills!

-26 ( +11 / -37 )

do they (the gov) have any choice? surely they can't force her to take the lucre....

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Personally, I think this is her telling the Imperial Household Agency to shove their money is a certain orifice for needlessly delaying her marriage. Probably a middle finger to daddy too.

Good on her. Get married and get out of this dysfunctional fishbowl.

31 ( +33 / -2 )

I fail to see what Komura's mother's financial affairs has anything to do with anything. How did it "come to light" anyway. There is such a thing as data protection. Very disquieting that Japanese aristocracy go snooping around in a sneaky fashion.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

Everyone hating cuz they can't decline ¥150m....lol.

10 ( +19 / -9 )

The guy graduated from Fordham Law School and is going to work for a top notch US Law Firm, paying back 40k USD (4 million JPY) that his mother owes is going to be a walk in the park. Good for her for rejecting the money, but I highly doubt they will have any financial problems.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

It is all medias falt for blowing his mother's loan out of all proportions.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

@ Paul, 18:30 JST

Or is it?

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

So many comments about this by people who can't read Japanese, and I'm not talking about the tabloids either, and as a result don't know what the devil they're talking about. This business is a lot more complicated, with a lot of ramifications, that the short blurb from Japan Today cannot even hint at. Komuro himself is shifty. It isn't only his mother.

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

Kudos to her for declining the easy cash.

most people here bagging them would take the money.

We are paying your expensive lifestyle and palaces

we are ?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Wow, that's a lot of cash to turn down but good for them. Might have been a good idea to accept then donate it to some good cause though. I wish them well.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Japanese media harassing the guy on the streets of New York. Good thing he is giving them the cold shoulder and who could blame him, after they portrayed him and her mother us opportunistic duo milking her former fiance over the last three years. Leave them be, they are common people with common issues and problems.

The princess has obviously made up her mind on marrying the guy regardless of Japanese public opinion. They are both grown up adults, leave them alone.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

I hope he passes the New York State bar exam. Results will be in mid-December this year.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Rich.H. writes: "So many comments about this by people who can't read Japanese, and I'm not talking about the tabloids either, and as a result don't know what the devil they're talking about. This business is a lot more complicated, with a lot of ramifications, that the short blurb from Japan Today cannot even hint at. Komuro himself is shifty. It isn't only his mother."

He is right! There is much about this very sordid story that one can only grasp if one knows Japanese--and even then...The Imperial Household Agency (宮内庁) should not be ridiculed or demonized: it's caught in the middle...We live in a time when "noblesse oblige" seems to have been forgotten by far too many, though Their Imperial Majesties clearly have not forgotten.

One can be a monarchist without (naively) thinking that every member of those "above the clouds" has the best interests of the realm at heart.

Most of the commentators here probably have little or no use for "the system," so sneering remarks are to be expected. Some of us go on supporting the 天皇制. My wife spends at least one hour a day listening to the latest about the scandal, which, believe it or not, is quite a serious matter for this country.

-7 ( +9 / -16 )

I wish everyone would leave them alone and mind their own business.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

All these would not have happened if that sour grape ex fiancé didn't make a big deal over that 4 Million Yen.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

4 million Yen? What's the Japanese for "chump change"?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Princess Mako deserves the respect of the people, Government, let call it out loud.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako.

150 million yen is a small recompense for Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako unwavering duty.

Is anyone seriously suggesting this whole saga, soap opera, is over 4 million yen?

Kei Komuro was from the beginning a square peg in the Royal Imperial household, the venomous courters round whole!!.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

LamillyToday.  "Oh dear big mistake for her. Her life will be a misery with a loser like that. Still, it's her mistake to make." Ignoring the fact: Komuro graduated from Fordham Law School - no problem earning coin.

And Khunuri & Rich H. Two pseudo-sophisticates who apparently 'read' Japanese and have a deep grasp of this troubling incident. They see further and deeper than any, especially as Khuniri's wife listens to gossip one hour a day on media. The only scandal is the existence of a worthless Imperial Family, here or anywhere.

The Imperial household. Allowed to remain in place by General Douglas McCarther, one of the worst generals to have stars pinned on his shoulders. Hereditary Royalty, in the 21st century, an archaic absurdity which should be banished.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

Must be nice to be rich and decline to accept 150 mil. yen, I'll take it!!!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Or please pass it onto all the needy that I see on the streets daily, and thank you.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I have found western media gets to the heart of the matter 6 months before local media, sorry Ex Idols get to whisper an innocuous mumble. The above story gives a summery of an hour of morning news.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I love how she gets a 'sama' after her name and he doesn't even get a 'kun', let alone a 'san'.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Give her credit for this...

Credit the author. 200% chances it's not her idea, not her choice. The Kunaicho decides every detail of the 'royals' ' decisions (that we know about) and every word they say (in public).

Must be nice to be rich and decline to accept 150 mil. yen, I'll take it!!!

Yes, that means that couple can live with 150 M more or less. One percenters.

The thing is her family has accumulated money over the years, they all get allowances all the time and they never need to spend 200 yen at the kombini as everything is paid for them. The fortune is growing and they can care for their kids without more public funding. She has already a lot on her personnal account for the 5 or 6 yrs she's been doing attending "events". Then her Dad can give her enough to buy a penthouse in New York (what are the rates ? The Clintons bought a $10million one for their princess, that's 1100 M yen, round it at 1500 M). Well this would be totally private and we'll never know about it. Unless she does a Harry with Oprah show.... I wish she does, for our greatest fun. To shed light on the anachronism of the hereditary 'aristocracy'.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

That 150 million yen could be entrusted for there children's future education.

So to name someone as responsible to state or assume your willingness to fulfill an outcome.

If the money is not gifted to Princess Mako, it will be the first time in Japan's postwar history that such a payment has not been made.

This is frankly cruel, unnecessary!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

For GOODNESS sake! Let them have a good life!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I wish everyone would leave them alone and mind their own business.

Thank you.

It's all nice and good, but these are two grown adults and they should be left alone to figure out their own problems, we can't fix them and we all have our own problems and personally, I wouldn't want the media following me every second and judging me or my spouse when the public doesn't know one thing about us. So I wish them all the happiness, she will be a commoner soon and she'll have more than enough to deal with. I hope the media doesn't drive them crazy, it's happened before, pull back and chill. As long as they're happy then that is the ONLY thing that matters.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Japanese media harassing the guy on the streets of New York.

He should file a complaint of harassment in New York and get the Japanese media deported.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

@Richard Gallagher Your comment made me LoL! Couldn't agree more!

@Khuniri ' Komuro himself is shifty'- Oh pray tell knowledgeable one. Us philistines are waiting!

So Komuro can't pay off his mom's debt but he got money somewhere to attend Fordham University's Law School. Probably the money for his studies came out of the royal coffers and that is why they aren't accepting the 150 million yen. Anyway good luck to them! I think they are well suited.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Indeed, please tell us plebs who don't read Japanese what the real story is.

Let them be and let them try to find their own happiness.

Yes hard to imagine this is all really about the boyfriend's mother's finances.

Will she become royal again if they do allow women from the family to retain their royal status on marrying commoners. Is this really what this is all about?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I wish these two are allowed to get on with their lives without outside involvement.

Rejecting the cash might be a smart one in the long terminal, they don’t have to tolerate any involvement from the royal bureaucracy!

Wishing them al the happiness!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Great!

Use the money for people in Fukushima still living in temporary housing. Use it for the small business owners suffering during this pandemic.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If they divorce, can/will she regain her status?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Moko, against all odds, getting married to a man she loves. And a big, free money is not stopping her will. She is paving a way for what an imperial woman can do to be free.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

So many comments about this by people who can't read Japanese, 

You mean people who aren't really knowledgeable about the issue.

I'm sure there a lot of people here who read Japanese but don't share you level of fascination with the issue

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Komurio gets to mary princes Peach but no coins .. bummer

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The proper thing to do is to get rid of the rule that kicks the young lady out of the family for getting married.

It’s a huge mistake to move to the US. I don’t see how a person growing up in a royal family can adjust to living in the US unless they were to live in a Japanese social and cultural bubble.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Coskuri,she has no legal right to immigrate to the US, only a American citizen and a green card holder, can sponsor their spouse to live in the US

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Yrall: Incorrect. Many working visas let you take your Spouse with you - and most are allowed to work after a supplementary application. You use you work 'immigrate' - that would indicate what would be considered to be a permanent move. Is this? We have no idea. We have no idea of HIS visa status to even begin with.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

...I have no idea what country you are from Yrall. But there is a select list of countries that qualify for 'E' class visas that with the correct sponsorship and salary offer very (on-permanent initially) easy way in. Japan is one of those countries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am sure there are tons of Japanese companies willing to offer a $200K/year job for the princess in New York, since that's where she's going to be living.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

So Komuro can't pay off his mom's debt but he got money somewhere to attend Fordham University's Law School. Probably the money for his studies came out of the royal coffers

He got a full scholarship from the university. Nothing from the ‘royal coffers’, though no doubt his royal connections were not ignored.

https://news.law.fordham.edu/blog/2018/07/05/kei-komuro-fiance-of-princess-mako-of-japan-to-attend-fordham-law/

Can’t say I’m taken by the ponytail.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The Imperial household. Allowed to remain in place by General Douglas McCarther, one of the worst generals to have stars pinned on his shoulders. Hereditary Royalty, in the 21st century, an archaic absurdity which should be banished.

Study a little bit about how WWII ended and you will understand why the US (not just Gen MacArthur) allowed Hirohito to remain after that horrible war. It was Hirohito who finally ended it. The IJA and Gen. Tojo were dead set against surrendering. Hirohito had to go into hiding to prevent the IJA from arresting him in order to make the famous radio broadcast that Japan was surrendering. Even on the day the formal surrender was signed US and Allied forces weren't really sure the Japanese meant it. But Hirohito's word was good and the war did indeed end. His reward was to remain in power and not face a war crimes trial. In hindsight I think this was a fair result. Others of course can differ and vote me down, lol. I know what's coming :/

8 ( +8 / -0 )

It’s a huge mistake to move to the US. I don’t see how a person growing up in a royal family can adjust to living in the US unless they were to live in a Japanese social and cultural bubble.

It's not her first time out of the nest. She studied abroad. She earned a Masters from University of Leicester and also studied at University of Edinburg. She has a drivers license too. She was a relief worker after the Tohoku Earthquake where she hid her identity and is fluent in Japanese sign language. She has an interest in helping the deaf community. She will do just fine.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

So I am really curious now. Several here allege that not being able to understand Japanese prevents the great unwashed from understanding what a grave threat to Japan the marriage of the Princess to a commoner is, and why this particular commoner is considered to be so shady? Lets see if one of the august J-T members here can explain adequately in English just why this marriage is so particularly awful to Japan and why Kei Komuro is such a bad person. I patiently await an answer.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Seems like the argument over 4m has cost 150m. Why didn't they just make a deal that when the son gets his hands on the 150m repayment will be made + alpha?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

OK, heres a theory. . . . .

There is an ongoing discussion about changing the rules of succession to allow women into the line. If this goes ahead, Princess Mako is very high on the list. Likewise, it would also remove the requirement for women to leave the royal family if they marry a commoner.

If she accepts what amounts to a termination payment, it will raise a whole lot of uncomfortable questions about her role/position/the money if the Royal household was ever in a position to need to invite her back. After all the list of male heirs is pretty slim, and the the women in the family are marrying out of the family.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Komura certainly doesn't seem like a "looser" at all. You can't be stupid to graduate from Fordham. I just don't understand what his mother's financial situation had to do with anything. It wasn't his debt in the first place. And yeah, I'm sure any firm in the US would be eager to hire him now.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Komura certainly doesn't seem like a "looser"

i think you mean ‘loser’

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Good for her, seems she is giving a BIG middle finger to the IHA!!!

Seems she wants OUT of the cage!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'll throw out some wild speculation that the royal handlers told her to decide to decline the money and they will accept the decision that they told her to decide.

I hope she has a good life away from the household handlers regardless of what the non-Japanese reading people don't know.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Kabuki theater before our eyes. Many firms would love to hire him now and get massive opportunity in Japan and with Japanese companies.

Lawyers in the US make 10000 times what someone makes in Japan. He is very SMART by choosing to get out of Japan. He has a very, bright, filthy rich future ahead of him. I am very happy for them!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So because she is / was a "royal", that makes her a target for kidnapping / extortion. So she will require security, and this will be on the Japanese taxpayer dime.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So because she is / was a "royal", that makes her a target for kidnapping / extortion. So she will require security, and this will be on the Japanese taxpayer dime.

Really? Are you sure about that?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Still waiting for an astute J-T reader to explain how this marriage is a threat to Japan. Looks like I might have to wait a while longer.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Actually something great for the government. Great to decline. I'm sure her mom-in-law is very happy (sarcasm). I'm glad my tax money isn't going towards this.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She could have accepted the money and donated it to a worthwhile charity cause.

That would have bin awesome.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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