Princess Mako’s boyfriend says his mother’s money trouble solved

January 23, 2019

Tokyo--Kei Komuro, the boyfriend of Japanese Princess Mako, on Tuesday released a statement claiming that reported money problems involving his mother have been solved.

This is the first time for Komuro, 27, to clarify his view on the financial problems between his mother, Kayo, 52, and her 69-year-old former fiance.

The problems, heavily reported by weekly magazines, have resulted in the postponement of the planned marriage between Komuro and Princess Mako, 27.

In November last year, Prince Akishino, the father of the princess and the second son of Emperor Akihito, told a news conference, "If the two still hope to be married, some appropriate action needs to be taken (over the problems)."

"My understanding was that (the financial problems) had been settled," Komuro said in the statement, released by his lawyer.

According to the statement, Komuro's mother got engaged to her former fiance in September 2010 and received financial support until he proposed breaking off the engagement in September 2012.

The former fiance denied his intention to get the money back when his mother offered to pay it back, the statement said, adding that the two confirmed all their financial issues had been solved.

Komuro, who has been studying at a law school in New York since August last year, also said, "I feel sorry for causing trouble to many people through my failure to give a clear-cut explanation."

"My mother and I are still grateful for the support from the former fiance, and I'd like to make efforts to win understanding" from him, Komuro added.

Informed sources said Komuro's side published the statement in response to Prince Akishino's remark at the press conference. Princess Mako knew what would be announced in the statement, according to the sources.

Speaking to Jiji Press recently, the former fiance of Komuro's mother flatly denied having declined any offer of repayment from her.

In September 2017, Princess Mako and Komuro were informally engaged. Weekly magazines reported in December that year that the debts incurred by Komuro's mother totaled some 4 million yen.

In February last year, the Imperial Household Agency said their marriage and related ceremonies will be postponed to 2020. Jiji Press