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Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by karenl on November 15, 2020, 7:30 pm

I'm positive this isn't Mako's decision, it's her parents decision. Comes conveniently after the ceremony installing Akishino as Crown Prince, heir to the Throne.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8951023/Japans-Princess-Mako-delays-wedding-postponing-two-years-ago.html

Princess Mako Expresses "Strong Resolve To Get Married"

Posted by karenl on November 15, 2020, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

"In the statement, the princess expressed gratitude to the emperor and Empress Masako as well as her grandparents -- former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko -- for "respecting my feelings and quietly watching" the situation."

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/11/ee12b47c6ce6-breaking-news-princess-mako-still-eager-to-marry-but-wedding-date-undecided.html

Re: Princess Mako Expresses "Strong Resolve To Get Married"

Posted by Hollie24 on November 15, 2020, 10:04 pm, in reply to "Princess Mako Expresses "Strong Resolve To Get Married""

No mention of her parents--no doubt the "some people" she acknowledges are against the marriage.

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Susan T on November 16, 2020, 9:55 am, in reply to "Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

I don't think it has anything to do with her father being formally acknowledged as Crown Prince. After all, her parents approved of the engagement when it was first announced in 2017, and by that time it was evident that Masako and Naruhito would not be having any more children. So Akishino's position hasn't changed.

What has happened since 2017 is that it has been revealed that Mako's fiancé is involved in a financial dispute involving 4 million yen. and, probably more importantly, that Mako's fiancé did not inform her about this dispute before the engagement was announced. And the dispute still hasn't been resolved, more than 3 years later.

I haven't a clue whether Komuro and/or his mother are correct in their belief that they don't need to repay the money. But it appears that everybody involved in this mess is more interested in "winning" and being shown to be "right" than to doing whatever it takes to end the dispute and get on with their lives.

Seems we have an answer to the question "What price happiness?" Or at least a ballpark figure: 4 million yen.

Link: Princess Mako’s Postponed Marriage

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Cynthia on November 16, 2020, 10:10 am, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Four million isn't chicken feed ($38k today), but it's not massive either. Money spent over the course of a three-year relationship? It's like the ex-fiancé is asking to be reimbursed for all the times they went out to dinner together.

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Susan T on November 16, 2020, 10:35 am, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Maybe my memory is faulty, but I could swear when this story first came out that the amount in dispute was much larger, and included money the mother's ex-fiancé had paid for Komuro's education. And that the Imperial Family were concerned that Mako's marriage settlement money would be used to pay the disputed sum.

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by karenl on November 16, 2020, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

The ex-boyfriend of Kei's mother issued this statement the day after Kei himself issued a statement that money dispute had been settled. To be fair and truthfully, until Mako's recent statement, there has been nothing released to the press concerning the dispute since this 2019 story. We have no knowledge of what's been going on. I do know that Kei is on schedule to graduate from law school this coming spring.
One huge factor in Mako and Kei marrying is the fact that she will have to drop her Royal status and she will no longer be a part of the Imperial Family, she'll be a private citizen, as we all know. That leaves the main Royal line down to very few in number. Akishino, especially wants his daughter to continue in the Main line, but there's the problem, who will she marry? Maybe someone in the junior lines, but that would have to be an arranged marriage.
The junior lines are way out of any Succession hopes. Mako, Kako and Aiko face dilemmas as they grow older.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190123/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Susan T on November 16, 2020, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

The "huge factor" didn't prevent an engagement being acknowledged. It was in existence then, it's in existence now. Nothing has changed, so I don't see that as being the reason for yet another postponement.

They're not even claiming that COVID is causing the delay. Neither party to the engagement has said they no longer want to get married. So that leaves the question of the loan. Last we heard, the borrower claims nothing is owed; the lender doesn't agree. That's been the position since 2013.

So what is the not-so-happy couple's plan? Wait for the ex-fiancé to say he is wrong? Wait for him to die and hope his estate doesn't continue to demand repayment? Keep issuing statements every couple of years saying that they need more time to prepare?

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by karenl on November 16, 2020, 7:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Well, I think that's what will happen, we'll read about more delays to the wedding. Not only if the ex-fiance gives up his claim or dies, but if eventually either Kei or Mako makes the decision to break the engagement because one or the other, or both are tired of waiting and the hassle. I think there's a stand off between the mother and ex, neither is going to budge, but we don't know because neither Kei nor his mother have released any more statements as to what is occurring legally. The Imperial Family is aware, I'm sure, but they're not telling, nor is it up to them.

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Susan T on November 16, 2020, 8:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Well, they could decide to just get married. There's nothing stopping them.

From wikipedia: No princess of the blood needs a marriage approval unless she marries a member of the Imperial House, because she will automatically become a commoner upon marriage and her husband will never be a member of the Imperial House under the rule of patrilineal succession. Seven princesses have married without the Council's approval since it was established.

Instead, they sit passively waiting for something to change. And years from now will blame others for their unhappiness.

Newsflash: The only person's actions you can control are your own.

Link: wikipedia

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by karenl on November 16, 2020, 8:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Yep, they could, but they've had plenty of chances and haven't done it yet. I have to be honest, I don't know how the whole situation will end up, it's a prolonged delay, how much longer, I can't predict.

Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again

Posted by Susan T on November 16, 2020, 8:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Princess Mako Delays Wedding Again"

Until they are old and gray. Could be a case that neither wants to be the "bad guy" and walk away from the stalemate.

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