The Imperial Japanese Imperial Corporation announced on June 26 that the third and youngest daughter of the late Emperor Takamodo - cousin of Emperor Akihito and Empress Hisako, will marry Kei Moriya, a 32-year-old employee of NYK Line shipping line.
The couple met less than a year ago and were officially engaged on August 12. The wedding will be held at Meiji Jingu Temple in Tokyo on October 29.
Prince Ayako, 27, has a master's degree in social welfare and was introduced to the Moriya family by her mother, Queen Hisako, last December, according to the Imperial Imperial Academy of Japan.
Mrs. Hisako met Kei Moriya's parents when she worked at a local non-governmental organization. The bride introduced herself in the hope that her daughter would be inspired by global welfare activities.
However, the couple Ayako and Moriya discovered that they have many things in common besides their passion for welfare. Both of them like skiing, reading and traveling.
According to Japanese royal law, the princess will give up her royal status when marrying Moriya. However, the princess will receive an expected amount of about one million USD.
Ayako is not the first princess in her generation to plan to give up royalty. Last May, the Emperor's grandson - Principess Mako announced his plans to marry the fiance Kei Komoro - a civilian.
Ayako is not a direct successor to Emperor Akihito, so she did not attract the attention of Queen Mako. However, according to CNN, the abandonment of the royal family status of Ayako also raises questions about the future of the world's oldest family-hip monarchy.
If princess Mako and Ayako both marry commoners, the number of members of the Japanese royal family will decrease to 17, increasing the burden of royal duties for the remaining members.
A resolution added to the Emperor's deposition bill in June last year called on the government to consider the issue of inheritance, including selecting princesses to establish new spending in the royal family after they marry civilians, allowing new members to take on the duties of the royal family.
The princess's engagement could boost the call for consideration.
