Princess Mako’s informal engagement announced Sept. 3

August 17, 2017

TOKYO- Japan's Imperial Household Agency said Thursday it will announce the informal engagement of Princess Mako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, to former university classmate Kei Komuro on Sept. 3.

The announcement was initially scheduled for July 8.

The agency said it rearranged the date after progress in recovery and reconstruction work in the northern part of the Kyushu region, southwestern Japan, hit by heavy rains and flooding one and a half months ago.

The agency fixed the timetable by taking into account the schedules of the Emperor and Empress and the princess' parents--Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. The date, a Sunday, also avoids clashes with the work commitments of the fiance-to-be.

On the scheduled day, Shinichiro Yamamoto, grand steward of the agency, will announce the princess' informal engagement. Princess Mako, 25, will hold a press conference with Komuro, also 25, in the afternoon at the Akasaka Imperial estate in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

Their wedding is expected to take place next year. Jiji Press