It has been announced that Princess Mako 25 year old eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito to become engaged to a law firm worker Kei Komuro, a commoner. Kei Komuro, who is also 25, was a fellow student at the International Christian University (ICU) and studied together with the princess. Princess's engagement has been confirmed by the Imperial Household for US broadcaster CNN.

As a result of her marriage, Mako will lose her imperial status and leave the Japanese Imperial Family, as required by law. She will become the eighth female member of the family to marry a commoner since the passage of the Imperial Household Law in 1947. Her name will be changed from Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino to Mrs. Mako Komuro.

Princess Mako of Akishino, born in 1991, is the first child and oldest daughter of Fumihito, Prince Akishino, second son of the Emperor who is currently second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne and Kiko, Princess Akishino, and a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. And her brother Prince Hisahito of Akishino is third in line to become Emperor of Japan.

It seems that Princess Mako is taking steps after her aunt Sayako who was the sixth female member born into the Japanese Imperial Family to marry a commoner since the passage of the Imperial Household Law in 1947. Sayako Kuroda, formerly Sayako, Princess Nori is youngest child and only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. She lost the royal title when she married Yoshiki Kuroda, a commoner in 2005. Kuroda is the first non-aristocratic commoner to marry an Imperial Princess.