Flashback Friday: Engagement of Princess Sayako

December 30, 2004: The year 2004 ended on a high note for the Japanese Imperial Family, as the engagement of Princess Sayako – the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko – was announced.

The Princess and her new fiancé, Yoshiki Kuroda, met with the press in Tokyo following the official announcement by the Imperial Household Agency. The couple had known each other since childhood – Yoshiki is a friend of Sayako’s older brother, Prince Akishino.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko said of the engagement, “We feel very confident about the decision of these two young people to share their lives together after two years of courtship.”

Sayako and Yoshiki married in November 2005, and the Princess renounced her title and succession rights to the Chrysanthemum throne following custom in the Imperial Family.

Filed under Japan
Tagged Engagement, Sayako Kuroda, Yoshiki Kuroda.

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