Mako Komuro (née Akishino)(b. 1991). Formerly Princess Mako of Akishino, a Japanese art historian and former member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, niece of Emperor Naruhito, and granddaughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito.
Renouncing her royal status in 2021 to marry commoner Kei Komuro, she relocated to New York City, where she now pursues a career in art curation and advocates for mental health awareness. Her departure from the imperial family intensified debates on Japan’s patriarchal succession laws and the pressures faced by royal women.
Early Life and Education
Mako Akishino was born in Tokyo’s Imperial Household Agency Hospital. She attended Gakushūin School and graduated from International Christian University (ICU) in 2014 with a degree in Art and Cultural Heritage. She later earned an MA in Art Museum and Gallery Studies from the University of Leicester (U.K.) in 2016 and pursued doctoral studies at ICU. During her education, she obtained certification in curation and studied abroad at University College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh, fostering her expertise in global art history.
Marriage and Renunciation of Royal Status
In 2017, Mako announced her engagement to Kei Komuro, a fellow ICU student. The marriage faced intense scrutiny due to a financial dispute involving Kei’s mother, which delayed their wedding until 2021. Key aspects include:
- Controversy: Media backlash erupted over ¥4 million ($36,000) in disputed funds used for Kei’s education, which he later repaid 15.
- Mental Health Impact: Mako was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) stemming from media harassment and familial criticism.
- Renunciation: Under Japan’s Imperial Household Law, she forfeited her title upon marriage. She declined the customary ¥140 million ($1.3 million) payout to royal women leaving the family, becoming the first to refuse both the payment and a formal wedding ceremony.
Relocation to New York
The couple moved to New York City in November 2021, seeking privacy and new careers:
- Kei’s Career: After graduating from Fordham University School of Law, he passed the New York bar exam in 2022 and works as a lawyer at Lowenstein Sandler.
- Mako’s Adaptation: Initially spotted navigating daily tasks solo (e.g., shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond), she later volunteered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian art collection. The couple resides in Hell’s Kitchen, renting a luxury apartment.
Career and Public Life
- Curatorial Work: Served as a researcher at The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (2016–2021) and interned unpaid at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2022).
- Royal Duties: Prior to marriage, she patronized organizations like the Japan Tennis Association and conducted discreet volunteer work in Tōhoku earthquake relief zones.
- Cultural Symbolism: Her departure highlighted gender inequities in Japan’s monarchy, where women cannot inherit the throne and lose status upon marrying commoners.
Personal Life
- Childbirth: In May 2025, Mako gave birth to her first child, the Crown Prince’s first grandchild. The Imperial Household Agency confirmed the birth but withheld the child’s gender and birth date to respect the family’s privacy.
- Health Advocacy: Publicly disclosed her C-PTSD diagnosis to raise awareness about media impacts on mental health, aligning with struggles faced by other imperial women like Empress Masako.
Legacy and Impact
Mako’s journey underscores systemic challenges within Japan’s monarchy:
- Succession Crisis: Her departure narrowed the male-line succession to three heirs, reigniting debates on female succession rights 29.
- Media Reform: Her experience exemplifies “public bullying” (per scholar Shihoko Goto) and catalyzed discussions on press ethics.
- Global Symbol: Often compared to Meghan Markle, her move to the U.S. represents a quest for autonomy beyond traditional constraints.
Selected Honors
- Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown (2011).
- Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco (2021).
- Paraguay: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (2021).