Human Interest

Princess Mako ‘suffers PTSD, to wed at end of month’

Tokyo, Oct 1 (EFE).- Japan’s Princess Mako has been diagnosed with a form of post-traumatic stress disorder due to intense media scrutiny and criticism of her engagement to Kei Komuro, who she will marry at the end of the month, the Imperial Household Agency announced Friday.

Mako, 29, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, was diagnosed with a complex form of the condition arising from negative commentary about herself, her family, her fiancé and his family, according to a Household spokesperson on Friday at a press conference.

The princess was afraid that it would be impossible to fulfill her desire to have a calm and happy life after getting married, added the spokesperson, who also confirmed that the couple plans to get married on Oct. 26, when they will also hold a press conference.

The now 29-year-olds publicly announced their engagement in 2017, and their wedding has been postponed since then due to public uproar.

The princess’ marriage to a commoner entails her departure from the royal family, according to the Imperial Household Law, which also exclusively grants men succession rights to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The announcement attracted great attention in Japan due to another leaving the family, in decline due to the shortage of men and the aforementioned regulations, and also due to tabloid reports of an alleged financial dispute between Komuro’s mother and her former fiancé.

Following the controversy, Mako has decided to waive the 150 million yen ($1.3 million) lump sum in taxpayer money traditionally awarded to women of the imperial family who leave the institution upon getting married, according to government sources.

The couple has also decided to marry without a formal ceremony, according to local media.

Mako will therefore become the first princess of postwar Japan to break both traditions.

In 2018, Komuro left Japan to study law in the United States and only returned this week.

The couple have reportedly planned to move to the US, where Komuro now works in a law firm, after the wedding. EFE ahg-yk/tw

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