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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Royalty

Princess Mako of Japan

Princess Mako of Japan, now known as Mako Komuro, is the elder daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko and the niece of Emperor Naruhito.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Princess Mako of Japan, now Mako Komuro, left the imperial family in 2021 to marry a commoner. She has since lived privately in the United States with her husband and child.

Who is Princess Mako?

Princess Mako is the elder daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, and the niece of Emperor Naruhito. Born on 23 October 1991, she was the first grandchild of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. She also has a younger sister, Princess Kako, and a younger brother, Prince Hisahito.

Why did she leave the royal family?

Japan’s Imperial House Law requires female imperial members to leave the family if they marry a commoner. Mako married Kei Komuro, a college sweetheart, on 26 October 2021. The marriage was heavily scrutinized by Japanese media, and she lost her title and status as a princess.

What is her life now?

After the wedding, Mako and Kei moved to the United States, where he works as a lawyer. She now lives a private life, with some reports linking her to museum work in New York. Recent reporting in 2025 and 2026 indicates the couple have a child.

In short

  • Princess Mako was the eldest child of Crown Prince Fumihito.
  • She married Kei Komuro in 2021, losing her royal status.
  • Under Japanese law, female imperial members must leave the family when marrying a commoner.
  • She now lives privately in the US with her husband and child.
Canadian angle

Princess Mako has been covered by Canadian readers mainly as part of international royal news and coverage of Japan’s imperial family. There is no strong Canada-specific connection in the available sources.

Quick questions

Who is Princess Mako?
Princess Mako is the former princess of Japan and the elder daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko. She is now known as Mako Komuro after her marriage in 2021.
Why did Princess Mako leave the royal family?
She left the imperial family because Japan’s Imperial House Law requires female imperial members to lose their status when they marry a commoner.
What is Princess Mako doing now?
Recent reporting says she lives a private life in the United States with Kei Komuro. Some reports also say she has been associated with museum-related work in New York, and that the couple have a child.

Sources

  1. Reuters — https://jp.reuters.com/article/factbox-who-are-japans-princess-mako-and-her-husband-kei-komuro-idUSKBN2HG0DT/
    Supports: Birth date, parentage, marriage to Kei Komuro, move to the United States, and leaving the imperial family upon marriage.
  2. The Independent — https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/princess-mako-who-japan-royal-wedding-b1934132.html
    Supports: Identity as daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, niece of Emperor Naruhito, and marriage date.
  3. Tatler — https://www.tatler.com/article/who-is-princess-mako-the-japanese-royal-who-has-given-up-her-title-for-love
    Supports: Background, siblings, and loss of royal status after marriage to Kei Komuro.
  4. People — https://people.com/japan-former-princess-mako-welcomes-first-child-husband-kei-komuro-11746249
    Supports: Recent reporting that she and Kei Komuro live in the United States and have had a child.
  5. Nippon.com — https://www.nippon.com/en/column/g00420/
    Supports: Family relationship and engagement context with Kei Komuro.