Former Japanese Princess Embraces Motherhood After Building Life in U.S. with Lawyer Husband
New York, N.Y. — In a deeply personal milestone marking her transformation from imperial heir to private citizen, Mako Komuro (née Akishino), the former princess of Japan, has given birth to her first child in New York City, the Imperial Household Agency confirmed on May 30, 2025.
While the agency withheld the baby’s gender and exact birth date, officials emphasized that both mother and child are in “good health,” ending weeks of speculation fueled by sightings of the couple with a stroller in Hell’s Kitchen.
A Journey from Palace to Parenthood
Mako, 33—eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, and niece of Emperor Naruhito—relinquished her royal status in October 2021 under Japan’s 1947 Imperial House Law. This law mandates female members forfeit titles upon marrying commoners.
Her marriage to Kei Komuro, a former classmate at Tokyo’s International Christian University, culminated in a subdued civil ceremony devoid of traditional pageantry. Notably, Mako declined a $1.3 million payout traditionally granted to royal women departing the family, underscoring her desire for autonomy.
The couple’s move to New York weeks after marrying symbolized a fresh start. Kei, now a practicing lawyer after passing the New York State bar in 2022, supports the family while New York State bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art—leveraging her master’s degree in Art Museum and Gallery Studies from England’s Leicester University.
Their life in a walkable Manhattan neighborhood contrasts sharply with the guarded existence Mako endured under imperial protocols, which she revealed had caused her PTSD due to media scrutiny.
Imperial Family’s Delicate Embrace
The birth announcement—delivered by Naomasa Yoshida, grand steward of the Crown Prince’s Household—carried nuanced significance. Yoshida acknowledged the family’s joy while stressing the disclosure resulted solely from preemptive media leaks:
“This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family… We decided to make the announcement in light of some media reports.”
Crown Prince Fumihito, Princess Kiko, and siblings Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito privately conveyed happiness for the Komuros, framing the child as the couple’s “first grandchild” and Emperor Emeritus Akihito’s first great-grandchild.
This measured celebration reflects ongoing tensions between imperial tradition and modern realities. Mako’s 2021 marriage drew protests over financial disputes involving Kei’s mother, and her departure exacerbated the monarchy’s succession crisis—a point underscored by Emperor Naruhito himself, who noted the “decreasing number of male members” in the family. With only four male heirs remaining, Mako’s child—ineligible for the throne—embodies both personal joy and institutional constraints.
New York’s Anonymous Royal
In New York, the Komuro’s have cultivated a life of intentional normalcy. Neighbors describe them as “unassuming” and “engaged in local routines,” from grocery runs to park strolls. Mako’s volunteer role at the MET allowed her to apply her academic expertise discreetly, while Kei’s legal career stabilized their finances without imperial subsidies. Their choice of Hell’s Kitchen—a diverse, arts-adjacent enclave—mirrors Mako’s cultural interests and offers anonymity starkly absent in Tokyo.
The couple’s resilience echoes in Mako’s 2021 statement: “Kei is irreplaceable… marriage was a necessary choice for us.” Kei reciprocated: “I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love”—a sentiment now amplified by parenthood.
Broader Implications for the Chrysanthemum Throne
Mako’s transition resonates beyond personal narrative. The Imperial Household Agency’s recent embrace of Instagram and YouTube—platforms humanizing the family—signals adaptation to public expectations. Yet rigid laws remain: Princess Kako and other female members face similar status-loss upon marriage, further depleting the monarchy’s visible presence.
Prince Hisahito, 18—second in line to the throne—now shoulders intensified dynastic pressure as he begins biology studies at the University of Tsukuba.
Audio Summary (75 words)
“Former Japanese Princess Mako Komuro has given birth to her first child in New York. The Imperial Household Agency confirmed mother and baby are healthy but withheld gender and birth details. Mako, who left royalty in 2021 after marrying commoner Kei Komuro, lives privately in the U.S. Her family expressed joy. The birth highlights Japan’s imperial succession challenges, as female members forfeit status upon marriage. The couple declined royal funds and built careers independently.”
