Princess Mako’s boyfriend Kei Komuro to pay settlement money to mother’s ex-fiance

TOKYO — Kei Komuro, who is informally engaged to Princess Mako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, intends to solve a monetary dispute between his mother and her ex-fiance by paying him settlement money, Komuro’s lawyer revealed April 12.

Komuro, 29, released a document on April 8 explaining that he had monetary support from his mother’s ex-fiance, and their subsequent dispute about it. His mother’s former fiance had initially said he did not intend to get the money back from Komuro’s mother, but after he suddenly did ask her to pay him back, they reportedly went into negotiations. But Komuro’s lawyer said, “The negotiation is held up ‘at the stage of clarifying the disagreements between both parties’ views.'”

The lawyer emphasized that “it would be best if the gap between both parties’ views can be resolved, but it’s difficult.” Now that Komuro has been able through the document’s release to demonstrate his thoughts and intentions toward solving the dispute, he has reportedly decided to pay the settlement money as a “next step.” Because monetary support received from his mother’s ex-fiance comes to more than 4 million yen (about $36,000), Komuro is reportedly expecting to pay about the same amount in settlement money.

While Komuro has told Princess Mako, 29, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, that he intends to pay the settlement money, his lawyer said, “He is not doing this under the assumption that paying settlement money will lead directly to marriage.”

The document released by Komuro reads: “I have decided to closely discuss each party’s views and solve the problem upon gaining mutual understanding.”

Komuro has been studying at a law school in New York since August 2018. According to his lawyer, Komuro will graduate at the end of May and take the bar examination in the state of New York.

(Japanese original by Takeshi Wada, Tokyo City News Department)