Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The elder daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and niece of Emperor Naruhito, Princess Mako, reportedly turned down a lump sum of about $1.38 million paid to female Imperial Household members leaving the family upon marriage.

Princess Mako, 29, made history by declining such payment for the first time since the end of the WW2, the daily Mainichi reported.

She is set to wed her former college classmate Kei Komuro, 29, in late October and leave the Imperial Family.

Japan’s Imperial House Law stipulates that if a female Imperial Family member weds a commoner, she loses her Imperial status, and a lump sum of 152.5 million yen is paid to her under the Imperial Household Finance Act. This sum is intended to “maintain their dignity” even after leaving the family.

Princess Mako’s decision seems to ease some public criticism on her marriage plan to Komura, who is reported to have financial troubles within his family.