Japanese Princess Ayako to wed commoner

World
Europe

Japan's princess Ayako, 27, has followed her cousin Princess Mako to be the second royal announcing she is marrying a commoner since 2017, which will force her to renounce her royal status.

Born on Sept. 15, 1990, the third and youngest daughter of the late Prince Takamodo, cousin of Emperor Akihito, is to marry 32-year-old Kei Moriya, who works at the shipping firm NYK Line, according to Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Tuesday.

It's reported that the two will officially mark their engagement on August 12, and wed at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo on Oct. 29.

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko (2nd L) stand along with, (L-R) Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Nobuko, Princess Akiko, Princess Yoko, Princess Hisako, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Ayako, during the spring garden party hosted by the Emperor in Tokyo, April 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

The young duo met each other less than a year ago, when the princess was introduced by her mother Princess Takamodo to Mariyo in December.

Mariyo is also a board member of a Tokyo-based non-profit organization Kokkyo naki Kodomatachi (KnK), which could be translated as Children Without Borders.

Princess Takamodo introduced her daughter, who has a master's degree in social welfare, to Mariyo, hoping that Princess Makiyo would be interested in welfare activities for children worldwide.

Luckily, the pair found out they both enjoy skiing, reading and travel, in addition to a passion for global welfare.

Under the Imperial House Law, a princess will lose her royal status as soon as she marries a commoner. However, Princess Ayako reportedly will receive a bonus payment worth about one million US dollars.

Princess Mako, the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her fiancee Kei Komuro, smile during a press conference to announce their engagement at Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo, Sept. 3, 2017. /VCG Photo

Besides Princess Ayako and Princess Mako, the eldest grandchild to the Emperor Akihito, there are other Japanese princesses, including Princess Sayako, the Emperor's eldest daughter, who have chosen to marry commoners.

The princesses' wedding decreases the number of Japanese royal family members. The number will be 17 after Princess Ayako and Princess Mako are married.

This has aroused concerns over the sustainability of the male-only succession tradition in Japan, since there is only one unmarried male, 11-year-old Prince Hisahito, who is also the only grandson of Emperor Akihito.

At present, the government is called to begin deliberating succession issues, including legislation to allow princesses, who are married to commoners, to retain their royal status and create their own branches within the imperial family.

(Cover: Japan's Princess Ayako, third daughter of the late Prince Takamado and Princess Takamado, waves to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Jan. 2, 2016. /VCG Photo)