Engagement & Marriage of Princess Mako and Kei Komuro: September 2017 - 2021

[Prisma]

Full text of Princess Mako's statement on the occasion of her wedding postponement - The Mainichi

Up until now, the two of us have been proceeding with preparations for the various ceremonies associated with our wedding and our married life while consulting each other, our parents and other related parties. However, in that process, we have come to realize that there is not enough time to make the proper preparations for carrying out the various ceremonies and planning our life after marriage before our planned autumn wedding.

[...]

However, I think many things were carried out too quickly. We should have carefully considered if the speed at which we did things was truly appropriate, but concerning the announcement of our unofficial engagement, as well as the associated matters following it, we made the choice to move forward anyway.

Currently, we would like to meet the life milestone of marriage in a more favorable fashion. Also, in order to do that, along with the two of us more deeply and concretely considering our marriage, we would like to take sufficient time to make appropriate preparations both leading up to and after our wedding as much as possible. If it had been under ordinary circumstances, I believe accomplishing this task before the unofficial announcement of our engagement would have been desirable, but that things did not go that way originated in our immaturity, and we are doing nothing but reflecting upon our actions.

Based on this flow of events, as a result of repeatedly consulting with our parents and other related parties, at this time, we have decided that our future wedding and those ceremonies associated with it will be postponed until the year after next, after a series of ceremonies that are extremely important to the Imperial Household have been concluded without delay and that we secure enough time to carry out the necessary arrangements for our wedding and related events.

In having to make sweeping changes to an already decided schedule, we have caused great trouble and a burden to fall on those who have readily cooperated with our wedding, and we are very sorry about that.

[...]

We would like to consider the postponement of our wedding at this time as a good opportunity that provides us with time to plan for the start of our new life together, and we would like to spend this time until our wedding with great care.

 

[Pranter]

Uh...okay. None of that makes any sense.


LaRae

 

[Al_bina]

Full text of Princess Mako's statement on the occasion of her wedding postponement - The Mainichi

Thanks for the update!
Princess Mako's situation was complicated by an awkward leak about the upcoming engagement and unnatural media storm. I shall be greatly surprised if the wedding takes place.

 

[Mbruno]

Uh...okay. None of that makes any sense.


LaRae

Japanese culture is very different from ours, especially with respect to women and the place they occupy in society so to speak. We have to read everything in the proper context.

 

[Pranter]

Japanese culture is very different from ours, especially with respect to women and the place they occupy in society so to speak. We have to read everything in the proper context.

Yes I get that...but her statement still makes no sense.


LaRae

 

[Prisma]

I read somewhere that there was apparently ''shock'' in Japan when Mako got engaged at all, with the general expectation among many that she and her sister would 'support' their brother instead. Given the well publicised shrinkage within the Japanese family, their brother could be left almost alone if all his female relatives under 30 marry out of the family, particularly if the trend of abdication catches on and his uncle decides he fancies an early retirement too.

[...]

That was a minority sentiment. Most Japanese were happy for Mako and Kei and excited for a wedding. The most devastated seemed to be fans of the Akishino family. They want Mako and Kako to stay as long as possible and would be happy to kick out Aiko and the Mikasa and Takamado cousins. Some think Akiko of Mikasa (age 36) is sticking around too long; others grumbled when Tsuguko and Ayako of Takamado were given patronages recently. One blogger was dismissive of Kei Komuro, hoping Kako chooses a spouse with better connections.

Uh...okay. None of that makes any sense.


LaRae

Yeah...most reports and Japanese tweets I've seen don't believe lack of preparations or immaturity. The schedule of rituals was set, hotel for ceremony and reception booked, and her dowry requested. The couple dated for 5 years so Mako had plenty of time to understand a different lifestyle after marriage.

Imperial journalist Shinji Yamashita finds the situation unusual. In the past, unavoidable circumstances such as natural disasters or mourning caused postponement of engagements and weddings. He believes Mrs. Komuro's money dispute is the concern. [Sankei]

I usually avoid weekly magazines but I checked out JPrime out of curiosity, so take the following information with a grain (or more) of salt.
The articles [JPrime1, JPrime2, JPrime3] gives Kayo Komuro's ex-fiance a pseudonym "Mr. Takeda"; the magazine interviewed a longtime friend of Mr. Takeda.

- Kayo began dating Mr. Takeda around 2007, becoming engaged in 2010. The relationship ended in 2012.
- He became a father figure to Kei whose father died in 2002.
- When Kei turned 20, Mr. Takeda drove mother and son to take commemorative photos at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Despite being engaged to Kayo at the time, Mr. Takeda was excluded from the photo session.
- Mr. Takeda eventually found Kayo to be selfish; he broke off the engagement in September 2012 and asked for repayment.
- Part of the disputed money paid for Kei's tuition and study abroad fees.
- Allegedly Prince Akishino cannot overlook that without Mr. Takeda's assistance, Kei and Mako might not have met.

- Mrs. Komuro works part-time; she receives her late husband's pension; the grandfather receives a pension.
- When Kei was a child, his parents had money problems and asked his paternal grandparents for help in buying a house in Hachioji, Tokyo but was refused, leaving a rift.
- Kayo did not attend a dinner party Kei hosted for his paternal relatives after September's informal engagement announcement.
- Empress Michiko is said to be concerned about the Komuro family's debt problem.
- After the story broke in December, Kei immediately told Prince Akishino he did not know about the matter at all.
- Initially Prince Akishino believed Kei but now is puzzled how the young man should not know how his education was paid for.
- If Mako and Kei marry, he will be the future Emperor's brother-in-law. An in-law with debt or dishonesty is troubling.

- Professor Kazuo Yawata at Tokushima Bunri University, who is familiar with Imperial matters, is concerned about life after marriage.
- He doesn't see Kei Komuro as an asset. The residence of an ex-princess must have security and maintain a certain standard of living. Any children should have a better education than ordinary people.
- Professor Yawata proposes, since Kei is fluent in English, the IHA arrange a job for him at an international institution. Alternatively, if the currently defunct proposal to allow princesses some public duties after marriage is revived, Mako could have a steady income as a civil servant which offers government housing.

 

[Al_bina]

... - Allegedly Prince Akishino cannot overlook that without Mr. Takeda's assistance, Kei and Mako might not have met. ...

What is implied by "Mr Takeda's assistance"? Tuition fees?

 

[Biri]

"If Mako and Kei marry, he will be the future Emperor's brother-in-law. An in-law with debt or dishonesty is troubling."

When Hisahito ascends the throne, Mako & Kei may not be here anymore (Mako is 15 years older than her brother).

 

[Prisma]

What is implied by "Mr Takeda's assistance"? Tuition fees?

Study abroad fees. Mako and Kei first met at a meeting to exchange views on overseas study.

"If Mako and Kei marry, he will be the future Emperor's brother-in-law. An in-law with debt or dishonesty is troubling."

When Hisahito ascends the throne, Mako & Kei may not be here anymore (Mako is 15 years older than her brother).

True but Kei will be Prince Akishino's son-in-law and Hisahito's brother-in-law for many years. The financial dispute with Mr. Takeda is causing trouble for both families and the couple aren't even formally engaged. The Japanese are more sensitive to their relatives' (or potential relatives) actions/behavior than other cultures.

More on the events leading up February 6th's surprise announcement:
Princess Mako, Komuro say wedding delayed until 2020: The Asahi Shimbun

[...]

Weekly magazines have been reporting about money troubles within Komuro’s family since December 2017. The articles have raised concerns among some within the agency about the marriage, according to sources.

However, the agency has declined to comment about the reports.

“The marriage is an issue between the two (Mako and Komuro),” the agency’s grand steward, Shinichiro Yamamoto, said at a news conference on Jan. 25. “I have nothing to say about the information in the weekly magazines.”

[...]

They were scheduled to hold “nosai no gi,” a ritual in which their families exchange betrothal gifts, on March 4, 2018, [...]

Preparations for nosai no gi were proceeding within the agency.

However, a person related to the matter said, “Considering public opinion, both families reached a judgment that it would be better to postpone the marriage.”

[...]

In mid-January, Mako’s parents, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, met with Akihito and Michiko during a sudden nighttime visit to the emperor’s residence at the Imperial Palace.

Several days later, Komuro visited the residence of Fumihito’s family. After that, Kiko and Mako visited the emperor’s residence, followed by another trip to the emperor’s residence by Fumihito and Kiko.

Such frequent trips to the emperor’s residence are rare, and the visits spread a sense of anxiety within the Imperial Household Agency, sources said.

[...]

ETA: Support for Kei Komuro at Speculation swirls over postponement of Princess Mako's wedding - Japan Today

[...]

The Nikkei business daily warned against labelling Kei Komuro as not suitable as a partner for the royal.

"It would be a shame for a democratic country if concerns and criticism about family lineage or economic resources caused pressure," it said, warning it could create serious problems for future royal marriages.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

ETA: Support for Kei Komuro at Speculation swirls over postponement of Princess Mako's wedding - Japan Today

[...]
The Nikkei business daily warned against labelling Kei Komuro as not suitable as a partner for the royal.

"It would be a shame for a democratic country if concerns and criticism about family lineage or economic resources caused pressure," it said, warning it could create serious problems for future royal marriages.

Nikkei says exactly my thoughts. If there is a kernel of truth behind the allegations that Princess Mako has been prohibited from marrying her boyfriend of five years for the bare reason that his mother is accused of being indebted to her ex-fiancé, even when Mako is bound to become a private citizen on marriage and her husband will remain a private citizen, then one can foresee that it will be unbelievably difficult for Hisahito to find a bride who will be approved to serve as the empress consort as well as amenable to the immense pressure from the government to produce several sons.

- Professor Kazuo Yawata at Tokushima Bunri University, who is familiar with Imperial matters, is concerned about life after marriage.
- He doesn't see Kei Komuro as an asset. The residence of an ex-princess must have security and maintain a certain standard of living. Any children should have a better education than ordinary people.

If members of the public are concerned about the standard of living of the ex-princesses' children, they should petition the government to permit maternal imperial branches.

That was a minority sentiment. Most Japanese were happy for Mako and Kei and excited for a wedding. The most devastated seemed to be fans of the Akishino family. They want Mako and Kako to stay as long as possible and would be happy to kick out Aiko and the Mikasa and Takamado cousins. Some think Akiko of Mikasa (age 36) is sticking around too long; others grumbled when Tsuguko and Ayako of Takamado were given patronages recently. One blogger was dismissive of Kei Komuro, hoping Kako chooses a spouse with better connections.

Thank you for the perspectives of citizens of Japan, Prisma. Sad that some fans of the Akishino family belittle the other branches of the imperial family. If they feel that the very industrious Akiko of Mikasa is sticking around too long at 36, they should look back on her grandfather, who maintained his imperial status until his death at 100.

 

[Al_bina]

Study abroad fees. Mako and Kei first met at a meeting to exchange views on overseas study. ... [snipped]

Thanks for the clarification!
I wonder why Mr Takeda's grievances were not addressed in a timely manner by the Komuros and the IHA. The unnatural drama is quite unpleasant for Princess Mako. In truth, I am puzzled by how ineffectual IHA was/is in this situation.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

I wish they would change the rules that females don't leave the family when they marry. Their sons can inherit if it comes to that, but that would still cause a problem with the emperors being all from one family?

 

[Somebody]

So, it seems the most likely problem is that Kei is not considered worthy of Mako because his family isn't wealthy...

The whole "we didn't consider things sufficiently" is rather strange after such a long relationship including being engaged for several years!

I feel for the couple as the seem to be the victim of outside forces who require them to take the blame for what is done to them.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

That seems to sum up the situation.

Thanks for the clarification!
I wonder why Mr Takeda's grievances were not addressed in a timely manner by the Komuros and the IHA. The unnatural drama is quite unpleasant for Princess Mako. In truth, I am puzzled by how ineffectual IHA was/is in this situation.

The anonymous officials of the IHA who went to the press to cast aspersions on Kei's family seemed to be endeavoring to discredit the Komuros over and above addressing Mr. Takeda's grievances.

More on the events leading up February 6th's surprise announcement:
Princess Mako, Komuro say wedding delayed until 2020: The Asahi Shimbun

[...]

In mid-January, Mako’s parents, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, met with Akihito and Michiko during a sudden nighttime visit to the emperor’s residence at the Imperial Palace.

Several days later, Komuro visited the residence of Fumihito’s family. After that, Kiko and Mako visited the emperor’s residence, followed by another trip to the emperor’s residence by Fumihito and Kiko.

Such frequent trips to the emperor’s residence are rare, and the visits spread a sense of anxiety within the Imperial Household Agency, sources said.

[...]

That story is confusing to me. How would Kayo Komuro's debt dispute (story broken in December) have caused Prince and Princess Akishino to visit the Emperor at nighttime in mid-January?

 

[Moonmaiden23]

So, it seems the most likely problem is that Kei is not considered worthy of Mako because his family isn't wealthy...

The whole "we didn't consider things sufficiently" is rather strange after such a long relationship including being engaged for several years!

I feel for the couple as the seem to be the victim of outside forces who require them to take the blame for what is done to them.

The Kei and Mako have been a couple for five years! The Imperial family and the IHA must have had an idea that this was not a fling and might eventually lead to marriage. Why did the Imperial family and/or the IHA...or whomever is responsible for this debacle...allow the couple to go ahead with a formal engagement without making a discreet background check on the young man first??!

 

[Al_bina]

... [snipped]
The anonymous officials of the IHA who went to the press to cast aspersions on Kei's family seemed to be endeavoring to discredit the Komuros over and above addressing Mr. Takeda's grievances. [snipped]

At this point ... one might say that the purposeful awkwardness of the IHA is perplexing and disappointing.

 

[Prisma]

[...]

That story is confusing to me. How would Kayo Komuro's debt dispute (story broken in December) have caused Prince and Princess Akishino to visit the Emperor at nighttime in mid-January?

I suspect the IHA and Komuro family were caught off guard. Perhaps Mr. Takeda let the matter drop and after 5 years, Mrs. Komuro naively thought the issue resolved until the weekly magazines’ snooping.

I did a brief twitter search for 小室佳代 (Komuro Kayo) and tweets about the debt began around December 11. It's possible the IHA and Akishino family initially dismissed the dispute as tabloid rubbish only to learn the matter isn't quieting down. Investigation takes time and required working around everyone's schedules.

toyokeizai.net claims Princess Mako and Kei enjoyed a dinner date at a seaside restaurant in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture in early December. They have not been seen in public together since the scandal broke. Kei visited the Akishino residence 6 times after the reports surfaced. His mother also visited several times. The Akishino couple and Princess Mako visited Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko several times since December 20th.

My thoughts:
- The Imperial family are busy late December through mid January so Mako and Kei would not have much opportunities to go out.
- In general, the Japanese are respectful of anyone's privacy so there wouldn't be photos of their dates anyway.
- In the 5 years of dating, only 1 photo surfaced of Mako and Kei together. Initially blurred in October 2016 (photo), his face was un-blurred (photo) after news of the engagement was leaked.
- Kei and his mother could have visited the Akishino residence for engagement and wedding planning, not necessarily for scandal damage control.
- Asahi's report about frequent, unplanned nighttime visits is damaging (if true) as it suggests something's up. Engagement planning shouldn't need such nighttime visits.

 

[Fürstin Taxis]

Engagement is off?

Is Princess Mako of Japan’s wedding officially off? – Royal Central(..)

 

[W.Y.CII]

I think it's more than financial problems. After their engagements some press revealed some background of Kei's family, and there are some rumours suggested that his mother may have connections with local religious organization with bad reputation (some even say it actually is a cult), people now are questioning that does her belief influence Kei.

 

[Dman]

All this stuff just sounds like bunch of crazy confusion. Pretty much like the abdication.

 

[Al_bina]

Engagement is off?

Is Princess Mako of Japan’s wedding officially off? – Royal Central(..)

The question "Why did the IHA allow to formally announce the engagement?" still remains.

 

[tommy100]

I find that the most surprising part. In any other Royal Family I could understand it possibly but the IHA has such control and access to the Imperial Family they can't have known about this and indeed we know they did know before the actual official announcement was made so why let it go on? Nothing makes sense about it IMO - the abdication was always there. Either something has come out in the press or private that has made Mako reconsider how she sees Kei but that would have to be something major, would money really just be it?!

 

[Somebody]

It must be terrible for both Mako and Kei to be forced to give each other up because of a financial issue (and other family related issues). It might be compketely logical from a Japanese persoective but it's hard to understand from a western persoective. Seems as if Mako might be a member of the imperial family much longer as who would be willing and allowed to take her as his wife if this plays out as expected...

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Engagement is off?

Is Princess Mako of Japan’s wedding officially off? – Royal Central(..)

A source in Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe’s office said to magazine Shukan Gendai, “This is a cancellation…Kei will be urged to ‘voluntarily withdraw’.” They added that this would take place around the Emperor’s abdication next year.

[…]

As Princess Mako would no longer be a member of the Imperial Family, Kei, who has worked as a legal assistant, would be expected to support his wife and family.

Shukan Gendai also reported that Kei met Mako’s father six times after the financial rumours began circulating. Kei reportedly told the Prince that he did not know about any financial problems of his mother and the claim against her. This was later proved to be untrue.

[…]

The Times was told by a veteran royal journalist that is Kei was expecting to receive money from Mako, then he was mistaken, and it was “totally wrong.” Additionally, Princess Mako would receive 150 million yen of taxpayer money; however, this was to “cover security and to retain Mako’s dignity as an ex-member of the imperial family.”

The Imperial Household of Japan was quoted in the magazine saying that this amounts to “marriage fraud.”

I am well certain that a researcher at a university museum (and recipient of a 150 million yen dowry) and a legal assistant would be able to retain their "dignity" using their own wages and the dowry.

Alternatively to compelling a well-suited and happy couple to separate, perhaps the officials in the Prime Minister's Office and Imperial Household Agency who require Mako's future husband to afford her an expensive lifestyle should use their own private funds to pay for it.

I think it's more than financial problems. After their engagements some press revealed some background of Kei's family, and there are some rumours suggested that his mother may have connections with local religious organization with bad reputation (some even say it actually is a cult), people now are questioning that does her belief influence Kei.

Could you enlarge on that, please? Where and when did these rumors spread?

I find that the most surprising part. In any other Royal Family I could understand it possibly but the IHA has such control and access to the Imperial Family they can't have known about this and indeed we know they did know before the actual official announcement was made so why let it go on? Nothing makes sense about it IMO - the abdication was always there. Either something has come out in the press or private that has made Mako reconsider how she sees Kei but that would have to be something major, would money really just be it?!

The informal engagement announcement was in May, and the tabloids reported the financial issue in December. http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...uro-september-2017-a-42955-7.html#post2072137

One infers from the IHA and government officials' attacks on Mrs. Kayo Komuro and the Komuro family that they hold Kei's family against him, indeed.

It must be terrible for both Mako and Kei to be forced to give each other up because of a financial issue (and other family related issues). It might be compketely logical from a Japanese persoective but it's hard to understand from a western persoective. Seems as if Mako might be a member of the imperial family much longer as who would be willing and allowed to take her as his wife if this plays out as expected...

I suppose the debacle throws light on why most of the princesses of the blood imperial have stayed unmarried.

 

[Princess Larisa]

I suppose the debacle throws light on why most of the princesses of the blood imperial have stayed unmarried.

This has me wondering, what would happen if Mako or any royal princess simply went and got married without the whole rigmarole? I know she wouldn’t get the money, but would anything else be different? I mean she loses her title and is out of the family anyway, so what difference would it make.
Has a princess ever married a foreigner?

 

[Al_bina]

... [snipped]
Has a princess ever married a foreigner?

To the best of my knowledge, Imperial Princesses have never married foreigners.

A male member of the extended, if I may call it so, Imperial family married a foreigner. Mr Shimazu Yoshihisa, Emperor Akihito's nephew, is married to Ms Foucher (?) of Quebec. Mr Shimazu's mother is Takako Shimazu, nee Takako, Princess Suga, who is the youngest sister of the current Emperor.

 

[PrincessElena]

To the best of my knowledge, Imperial Princesses have never married foreigners.

A male member of the extended, if I may call it so, Imperial family married a foreigner. Mr Shimazu Yoshihisa, Emperor Akihito's nephew, is married to Ms Foucher (?) of Quebec. Mr Shimazu's mother is Takako Shimazu, nee Takako, Princess Suga, who is the youngest sister of the current Emperor.

This is correct. He married a Canadian lady in the 90s.

Besides him, to my knowledge, Lady Hiro Saga married the last Chinese emperor's younger brother Pujie, and Lady Masako Nashimoto married the crown prince Euimin of Korea. Interestingly enough, their son, Yi Gu, married a commoner American lady called Julia Mullock.

 

[W.Y.CII]

I can't tell when and where the rumours came exactly as I first heard it from my friend who live in Japan (in the begin it's more like a gossip, later the local press dug deeper and deeper which makes the whole thing turned serious), but I try to give you some news and information. P.S. I don't read Japanese but I can roughly get the meaning by reading Kanji (it's similar/same with Chinese character) plus Google translation. I can't translate the whole article but I would try highlighting some key point/important part.

Source 1

眞子さまの婚約相手・小室圭さんの母が頼る霊媒師の存在
Title: Princess Mako's fiance, Kei Komuro 's mother believes in/depends on psychic.

Summary: [1] Kei's mother was introduced to the organization "A" (see Source 2) after her husband died because someone in "A" said "he can see the spirit" (she wanted to connect or communicate to her husband via the psychic). [2] Some believers of this organization caused a horrible murder case in Fujisawa in 1987 (see Source 4).

Source 2

公安関係者が警鐘！　“結婚延期”にもめげない小室圭さんに忍び寄る危機とは？
Title: What crisis makes the wedding is postponed? (the translation may be not accurate but it doesn't matter as it is just an attention grabbing title)

Summary: [1] The organization "A" mentioned in Source 1 is 大山ねずの命神示教会 (see Source 3). [2] Kei's grandmother also is a believer of that organization and the imperial family doesn't feel good about that.

Source 3

The organization (大山ねずの命神示教会)'s official page and Wikipedia (JP) page.
Nothing special here, just for your information.

Summary: The organization was founded in 1953, is a new belief which developed from Shinto.

Source 4

Wikipedia (JP) page and a blog entry about the murder case mentioned in Source 1

Summary: A man was killed and dismantled by his wife and friend (who were also believer of the organization) after he withdrew from the organization, because they believed he was possessed by devil.

It's difficult to say whether the organization is involved in it or not (or whether it's a cult or not), but I guess it does have a pretty poor reputation in Japan because of that incident. We don't know if Kei is a believer of this organization, but the press is worrying he is influenced by his family's religious preference, especially he has a very close relationship with his mother after the father died. Probably it's also doubtful to the imperial family.

BTW I put the organization's name on Google search, and one of the suggestion from Google search is "大山ねずの命神示教会 被害者", which mean victims of that organization. (I find some website say it practises mind control/brain washing but I don't see other reliable source). I know it can mean nothing but I found a bit uncomfortable.

 

[Stefan]

This has me wondering, what would happen if Mako or any royal princess simply went and got married without the whole rigmarole? I know she wouldn’t get the money, but would anything else be different? I mean she loses her title and is out of the family anyway, so what difference would it make.
Has a princess ever married a foreigner?

Probably she wouldn't be allowed any contact to her parents and siblings. For example Princess Sayako has still contact to her parents as far as i known and probably visits them out ot the public.

 

[Countessmeout]

This is correct. He married a Canadian lady in the 90s.

Besides him, to my knowledge, Lady Hiro Saga married the last Chinese emperor's younger brother Pujie, and Lady Masako Nashimoto married the crown prince Euimin of Korea. Interestingly enough, their son, Yi Gu, married a commoner American lady called Julia Mullock.

Lady Hiro was more a 'noble woman' then a member of the Imperial family. Hiro's closest link to the family was a shared great-great grandfather with Emperor Meiji (in the female line, Meiji's mother was the great-granddaughter of the man in question through his daughter). Pujie had been educated and living in Japan for some years, and it was thought a way to strengthen both families, an arranged marriage.

Lady Masako was a member of one of the cadet branches of the imperial family. She was a cousin of the empress. Her husband like Pujie had been educated in Japan. Emperor Meiji was his guardian and was said to be closer to him then his own grandchildren. He was serving in the Japanese army for much of their marriage. He had basically been a captive to assure good conduct of his family. Their son was educated in the US and worked for IM Pei and associates as an architect, when his family was basically in exile for years. He met his wife who was also an architect there

The Japanese have continued not only a long tradition of marrying into the aristocracy/royals, but those of their own country. Even among the cadet branches, marriages outside of Japan were very uncommon. Perhaps more likely in the more recent decades.