Princess Ayako's Wedding
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8 | The Japan Times | Monday, October 29, 2018 Princess Ayako’s wedding Joyful couple to marry at Meiji Shrine KYODO Last year, the Imperial Household Agency announced the informal engagement Princess Ayako, the youngest daughter between Emperor Akihito’s eldest grand- of Emperor Akihito’s late cousin, is set to child Princess Mako and Kei Komuro, a marry commoner Kei Moriya today, relin- paralegal, student, commoner and her long- quishing her royal status. time boyfriend, although the couple has Nearly a year after their first encounter, subsequently postponed their wedding to the 28-year-old princess and the 32-year-old 2020 due to “lack of preparation.” Left: Princess Ayako waves to residents in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, on Oct. 5. Right: Princess employee of shipping firm Nippon Yusen After Princess Ayako and Princess Mako Hisako and her daughter Princess Ayako. KYODO K.K. will tie the knot in a traditional cere- marry, the number of Imperial family mem- mony at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine. bers will fall to 17 and that of female mem- The couple first met last December bers to 12, raising possible concerns about through Princess Ayako’s mother Princess stable succession and ways to share the Princess dedicated to society Hisako, a long acquaintance of Moriya’s burdens of public duties among remaining parents, who had also met with Moriya the members. KYODO low students during her university years and month prior at a photo exhibition of a non- To address the shrinking number of did her own household chores. profit organization supporting children in Imperial family members, a resolution Princess Ayako, the Tetsuji Koyama, who served as a coach developing countries. attached to the Emperor’s abdication law third daughter of of the university soccer team the princess Princess Hisako, the widow of Prince enacted last June calls on the government to Emperor Akihito’s joined, noted her hard work and dedication Takamado who passed away in 2002, had start deliberating succession issues, includ- late cousin Prince in everything she did, and how her strong hoped to spark her daughter’s interest in ing an option to allow a princess to estab- Takamado and Prin- traits would make her a wonderful wife. international welfare activities through lish her own branch within the Imperial cess Hisako, is known “She washed uniforms and prepared drinks introducing her to Moriya, who is a board family after marrying a commoner. as a bright and hard- so devotedly that we did not feel hesitant member of the nonprofit group Kokkyo However, such deliberations have yet to working person because of her royal status.” naki Kodomotachi (Children Without Bor- begin. 84-year-old Emperor Akihito is set to with keen interests After her graduation in 2013, she contin- ders), or KnK. retire on April 30, 2019, based on his desire in sports and welfare ued her research at the university’s graduate During a July press conference after the to step down due to concerns about his age activities. school and studied for two years at Camosun official announcement of their informal and failing health. Born on Sept. 15, 1990, Princess Ayako was College and the University of British Colum- engagement, Princess Ayako said she hit Members of the Imperial family, includ- 12 years old when her father suddenly died bia in Canada as part of her program. it off with Moriya from the beginning and ing her mother and Princess Tsuguko, the of a heart attack at age 47 and grew up see- She is currently working as a research fel- enjoyed talking with him so much that she eldest sister of the bride, will attend Princess ing her mother perform public duties while low at the social work studies faculty at Josai did not feel like it was their first meeting. Ayako’s wedding ceremony. trying to overcome the grief of losing her International University and is also qualified The two soon began courting and Moriya The next day, a banquet will be held at husband. as a child caregiver. proposed to the princess earlier this year the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, and will be Since her childhood, the 28-year-old prin- A senior official at the Imperial Household after the couple dined together at a restau- attended by Crown Prince Naruhito and cess has enjoyed numerous sports, includ- Agency says the princess has a down-to-earth rant. The princess said at the press confer- Crown Princess Masako, as well as the heads ing squash and swimming, and joined a ski personality, just like her mother Princess ence that she accepted his offer in April, of the three branches of the government. club in high school before later becoming a Hisako. attracted to Moriya’s “kind, smart and deci- Princess Ayako will receive about ¥107 supporting member of a soccer club at her When Princess Ayako underwent surgery sive” personality. Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya, both keen on global welfare, look forward to their wedding. KYODO million (roughly $950,000) from the state university. to remove ovarian cysts in 2015, it was her Describing Princess Ayako as a “bright to maintain her lifestyle after her marriage Aiming to learn about social welfare issues, own decision to disclose it, so as not to have and positive person,” Moriya said he came Princess Hisako had known Moriya’s wonderful young man,” Terada said in a based on the law on Imperial household she studied at Josai International University’s misunderstanding among the public, the offi- to hope that he would be able to share his father Osamu for around 40 years after she statement, “I hope he will continue his finance. Faculty of Social Work Studies in Chiba Pre- cial said. life with the princess who is “warm and became acquainted with him during her mother’s wishes and contribute to pro- Noriko Senge, one of Princess Ayako’s fecture instead of Gakushuin University, orig- ”She is always invigorating and carefully kind in interacting with anyone.” studies in the U.K. Additionally, when the viding educational support to children in older sisters, received the same amount inally created for the Japanese peerage. listens to agency staff, and is a person who Princess Ayako, a research fellow at Josai couple’s engagement was announced in developing countries.” Moriya became a when she married Kunimaro Senge, a senior Her entrance into the university reflected can make her own decisions about the path International University’s Faculty of Social June, KnK Chair Saeko Terada shared that board member in March. priest of Izumo Taisha, a Shinto shrine in her strong will to pursue welfare studies and she should follow,” another Imperial House- Work Studies, said her marriage to Moriya, a Princess Hisako has attended the group’s Following the wedding, Princess Ayako Shimane Prefecture, in 2014. look after her grandparents, the late Prince hold Agency staff said. graduate of Keio University, has come about events almost every year since 2007 thanks will no longer be part of the Imperial fam- Sayako Kuroda, the daughter of Emperor Mikasa, who died in 2016 at age 100, and Prin- In a statement released on the occasion of largely thanks to an opportunity given by to the bond built by Kimie. Moriya’s mother ily — Imperial House Law stipulates that Akihito and Empress Michiko, received cess Yuriko, 95, according to a source who has her 20th birthday in 2010, the princess said: “I her mother and Moriya’s late mother Kimie, had been involved with KnK since its women lose their royal title after marrying about ¥150 million when she married known the princess since high school. like children so I want to marry one day and who was KnK executive board member launch in 1997. a commoner. Her cousin, Princess Mako, Tokyo Metropolitan Government employee Known for her openness and friendliness, raise kids. I want to build a warm family full prior to her death in 2015. Describing Moriya as a “pleasant and will also follow that path. Yoshiki Kuroda in 2005. the princess lived in a home shared with fel- of smiles with someone whom I can respect.” Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan the Republic of Armenia the Republic of Djibouti Embassy of Madagascar H.E. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat H.E. Dr. Grant Pogosyan H.E. Mr. Ahmed Araita Ali H.E. Ms. Rakotomalala Mireille Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Congratulations to Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia the Federal Republic of Nigeria Embassy of Panama the Kingdom of Tonga H.E. Mr. John Fritz H.E. Prof. Mohammed Gana Yisa H.E. Mr. & Mrs. Ritter Diaz H.E. Lady Tania Laumanulupe ‘o Talafolika Fusitu’a Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of Embassy of Embassy of Ghana Royal Thai Embassy the Republic of Congo the Kingdom of Morocco in Tokyo Congratulations to HIH Princess Ayako of Takamado and On behalf of the President of the Republic of Congo, On behalf of the Government and the people of the Kei Moriya on the occasion of their wedding, On behalf of the Thai people, I humbly offer our best wishes I would like to congratulate both of you Kingdom of Morocco, I would like to extend my sincere on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana, and sincerest congratulations to on your wedding day.