Japanese Imperial Family Today

  Regarding the New York State bar exam that Kei Komuro, married to ex-Japanese princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, is challenging, it was learned on April 15 (Japan Standard Time) that the name believed to be that of Mr. Komuro is not on the list of successful applicants for the February exam.   Pass/fail for the exam, which was held in February of this year, was notified to examinees on the 13th (local time), and around 10:00 a.m. on the 14th (local time). The results were announced on the website of the state bar exam board at the local level. There was no mention of a name believed to be Ms. Komuro among the successful applicants listed on the website. See BAR exam results page: https://www.nybarexam.org/EXRF22/KL210.html   It is possible that Mr. Komuro was not accepted, although this is not yet confirmed, since some people do not wish their names to be made public at the acceptance announcement.   According to the...

    Last October, Mako, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, married Kei Komuro and moved to New York, despite public criticism. The Daily Shincho dated March 9 reported that a top-secret plan to invest diplomatic secret funds to support Mr.and Mrs. Komuro's life in New York has emerged within the government.   According to the article, the idea of outsourcing the security of the two to a private security firm in New York has been floated and is now being considered by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Police Agency. According to the proposal, the security costs would be funded by MOFA's reward fund, the so-called diplomatic secret fund. 　 Incidentally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' reward fund is money used for diplomatic activities whose use must be kept secret. Shukan Shincho asked a security firm familiar with the security situation in the U.S. to provide an estimate of the monthly cost of the cheapest plan, which is about 39 ...

  Kei Komuro, 30, the husband of ex-princess Mako, who retook the bar exam this month, has a serious "visa problem" and is consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   Tightrope-walk-like Stay in NY   According to a Japanese government official.   "Mr. Komuro has approached Japan's MOFA for advice on his visa."   　 If he already has a work visa, there should be no need to consult with MOFA. However,   “If he already has a working visa, there is no need to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but I think it is very likely that he is still on a student visa (F-1). He is probably still on a student visa and is using the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program.”   Said Mr. Ricky Tokunaga.   The OPT program is available to graduates of American universities and graduate schools. It's like a one-year work permit, and it's common to get a work visa after the OPT period is used up, and many international stud...

  The eldest daughter of the Akishino family, Mako Komuro (30), and her husband Kei Komuro (30), who began their newlywed life in New York last November, are believed to have re-taken the New York State bar exam on February 22 and 23. The Daily Mail caught up with Kei Komuro on February 22 as he left the exam venue.   With his long hair pulled into a ponytail,  Komuro holds a red smartphone in his right hand, waiting for an Uber cab. He walks with wrinkles between his eyes. Mr. Komuro got into the Uber taxi and headed for his home in Hell's Kitchen, where he and Mako live.   On the first day of the exam, there are six essays and other in-depth questions, and on the second day, there are 200 multiple-choice questions that require speed in answering. If you get 266 points out of 400 points, you will pass the exam.   Komuro graduated from Fordham University School of Law in New York City last May and took the local bar exam in July. He married Ms. Mak...

  Kei Komuro, the husband of former Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, will re-take the NY State Bar Exam on February 22 and 23. He failed to pass the bar exam immediately after graduation from Fordham University School of Law in July last time, and this time he will try for the second time while working as a "law clerk" at a law firm. The Imperial Household Agency, the government agency with jurisdiction over Japan's Imperial Family, is watching the results closely. The Daily Shincho reported on February 7 that the likelihood of her passing the exam is not very high in their eyes and that they are simulating the possibility of her failing the exam.   According to the story,   The bar examinations in New York State are usually held in February and July, and the passing rate for the July 2021 examination, which Kei took, was about 63%, while that for the February 2021 examination about 49%. If you complete law school in May, you can co...

    Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, and her husband Kei Komuro have been spotted shopping and on dates in New York.   Especially, Mako’s happiness at having freedom for the first time in her life is apparent, but the money issues surrounding them are still being questioned by the Japanese public. In particular, there is the mystery of how Kei Komuro, who has had no income, was able to come up with the large amount of expenses.   Kei Komuro's major expenses, including tuition and other expenses since entering university, totaled 3,524,000 yen (about US$300,000), of which 7,369,000 yen (about US$64,000) was directly related to his most recent marriage, as calculated by Shukan Bunshun on November 25.   Here's a breakdown:   Expenses related to marriage: Travel expenses from the U.S. to Japan Kei Komuro booked economy fare for one person   ￥ 116,000 Hotel expenses for the wedding conference   ...

This is an English translation of an article that was distributed on the Japanese internet media on the 19th of November and received high support from Japanese netizens.   What will the foreign media and Kei's employers, who are sympathetic to Kei and Mako Komuro, will think of the allegations made here?     Komuro Mystery Theater: Mysterious Source of Funds and Reason for Failing Bar Exam     by Takayuki Fujimoto (Professor, Toyo University / Doctor of Science / Media Scholar)  

    Mako Komuro and Kei Komuro arrived in New York, U.S.A. on November 14 and started their new life. At Kennedy International Airport, NYPD officers provided security.   What will happen to their security in the future? According to a Japanese police source quoted by "Bunshun Online" on November 14,   “In the United States, the Japanese police have no authority whatsoever. Carrying a handgun is a no-no.   If people knew that Mako was a former princess of Japan, the world's third largest economy, there was a good chance that she would be targeted by robbers or kidnappers. In the U.S., where the new coronavirus is spreading again, discrimination against Asians is said to be continuing, and there is a risk of being attacked by thugs, so security should be necessary.   However, the Japanese police cannot do anything about it. In the end, the reality is that we have no choice but to leave security to the New York Police Department and othe...

    The couple, Mako and Kei Komuro, left Japan for New York, U.S.A. shortly after 10 a.m. on April 14.   The flight is scheduled to take about 12 hours and 40 minutes, and they are expected to arrive at the airport in New York around 11:00 pm Japan time tonight  (9:00 a.m. NYT 14) .   The two are expected to lead a new life together, with Kei working at a law firm in New York and aiming to pass the bar exam next February, while Mako supports him.

    On November 12, "direct negotiations" were held between Kei Komuro (30) and Mr. A, the former fiancée of Mr. Komuro's mother, Kayo, with whom he had a financial dispute. The two sides agreed on a settlement payment from Kei Komuro, and the trouble was settled. 　 Some media reported that at the meeting, Kei offered words of sympathy and apology to Mr. A, and that an amicable settlement had been reached.   On the 13th, Mr. A wrote an exclusive article for the weekly magazine "FRIDAY" in which he revealed the details of the negotiations. The following is the full text.  

    On the morning of November 14, Kei Komuro and Mako (both 30), the "much talked about royal couple", left their luxury apartment in Shibuya, Tokyo, where they were temporarily staying, under "full guard".   The couple left the apartment shortly after 8:00 a.m. in a black one-box car led by an SP vehicle. The windows of the car were covered with smoke, making it almost impossible to see what was going on inside.   Mako had visited her parents' residence in the afternoon of the 13th, the day before, and stayed there until 9:30 pm.   This means that Mako obtained a visa to stay in the U.S. as early as about two weeks after their marriage. This is a procedure that normally takes about two months, and because of Mako's complicated PTSD condition, it was thought to be difficult to obtain a US visa. The unusually quick turnaround has raised voices of "imperial privilege.

    Kei Komuro, who married Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, last month, met with his mother's former fiancee, with whom he had a financial dispute, at a lawyer's office in Tokyo on November 12. The former fiancé will receive a settlement from Komuro, and both parties confirmed that the financial problem has been resolved.   Kei Komuro left the apartment in Tokyo where he was staying at a little after 7:30 p.m.  and entered the lawyer's office representing him. Just before this, his mother's former fiancé also entered the same lawyer's office, and Komuro met with his former fiancé for about an hour and a half. This is the first time the two have met since the news of their financial troubles.   After the meeting, Komuro did not respond to calls from the press, but left the lawyer's office with his face slightly upturned, his chest heaving as usual. His counterpart also refused to talk about the contents of the meeting. ...

    Before his death, Professor Emeritus Tatsuhiko Kawashima of Gakushuin University, the grandfather of Mako Komuro who passed away on the 4th of this month, expressed his mixed feelings about Mako's marriage. The weekly magazine "Josei Jishin" reported on the 9th.   According to the report, the magazine's reporter interviewed Kawashima in late January 2018. It was about a month before that, when the debt problems between Kei Komuro's mother and her former fiancé were first reported, followed by a series of scandals, including the suicides of relatives of the Komuro family, including Kei's own father.   At the time, the magazine received information that Mr. Kawashima had said, "I guess we'll have to provide the money for Mako to find a new house. It is believed that Mr. Kawashima already knew that he could not rely on the Komuro family financially.   When the reporter asked him, "What do you think about the fact that the financi...

    With Kei's failure to pass the NY bar exam and the passing of Mako's grandfather, the Komuros continue to receive unfortunate news. All eyes are now on their future plans.   At the end of last month, it was revealed that Kei Komuro had failed the NY State Bar Exam. If he has passed the exam and becomed a lawyer, his estimated annual income were about 20 million. On the other hand, if he fails the exam and remains a law clerk, he will earn about 6 million. The difference is as big as the difference between heaven and earth.   Kei is said to be intending to retake the exam next February, and Mako has said that she will support Kei. However, the pass rate for the February bar exam is about 20% lower than that for the July exam. This is because the July exam is taken immediately after graduation from law school, while the February exam is taken while working at a law firm, which does not allow for sufficient study time. If Kei fails the February exam as w...

    Tatsuhiko Kawashima, professor emeritus at Gakushuin University, father of Noriko Akishino and grandfather of Mako Komuro, died of mesothelioma on April 4 at the age of 81. In accordance with his wishes, a family funeral was held on the 6th. Kei Komuro and Mako attended the family funeral together.   　 At around 3:00 p.m., the two went out in the same cab, led by a car with an SP. Kei was wearing a black suit. Mako wore a pearl necklace and earrings, and was dressed in mourning.   Mr. Kawashima's home was also visited by Prince Akishino and his family. The family left Mr. Kawashima's home a little after 5 p.m.   　 Kei and Mako boarded a cab together at 8:05 p.m. and headed home. Mako bowed her head and made a bow in the car to the assembled press, but her expression was sad.   　 Mr. Kawashima was hospitalized on October 19. Mako had visited him many times at the hospital to pay her respects. On the 29th of the same month, Mako visite...

    Tatsuhiko Kawashima, father of Kiko Akishino and professor emeritus at Gakushuin University, passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on November 4 at the age of 81.   He was hospitalized in Tokyo on the 19th of last month and was reported to be in a serious condition. Since his hospitalization, Kiko, her eldest daughter Mako Komuro, her second daughter Kako, and her eldest son Hisahito had often visited him. On the 3rd, Mako went out alone to visit her grandfather.   Kawashima, an economist, was born in Tokyo in 1940 and has been a professor of economics at Gakushuin University since 1976.   At the time of the Akishino couple's marriage in 1990, the Kawashimas lived in a faculty apartment on the campus of Gakushuin University, and Kiko was known as the "three-bedroom princess”.

    It's been a week since the "Marriage Conference of the Century”. During this time, it was also reported that Kei Komuro had unexpectedly failed to pass the bar exam.   Mako and Kei Komuro, who have left the imperial family, are currently living in a temporary apartment in Tokyo, leading a newly married life. The weekly magazine "Josei Jishin" reported in detail what this life is like.   According to the story, Mako and Komuro are currently living as newlyweds in a serviced apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, as a temporary residence. The apartment is a high-class residence near Aoyama-dori, which is lined with fashionable boutiques and cafes. It is designed for mid- to long-term stays, but can be used from one night.   The Komuros are staying on the top floor of one of the buildings. Judging from its location, it is probably a two-bedroom room with a living room and dining room. This is the image of a suite room in a regular hotel. The bathtu...

    Kei Komuro has failed the NY bar exam in July 2021 and his livelihood is in jeopardy. However, there are reports that he has a huge source of funding. German state broadcaster DW reported that the Japanese government is expected to sign a contract with Komuro's employer in New York to financially support him and his wife.   https://www-dw-com.translate.goog/en/japan-princess-mako-marries-commoner-amid-controversy/a-59617287?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui   In this report, Yoichi Shimada, an academic and staunch supporter of Japan’s monarchy, is quoted as saying:   "We all know that the life of an international lawyer in New York is very challenging and competitive, so I worry that he will not be up to that task, although I have heard from my contacts in the Japanese government that Tokyo will be using Komuro's law firm to ensure he is a success and can earn a living."       The above i...

      This series of events between Mako and Komuro is undoubtedly a black comedy.   For example, the following story would be interesting as fiction:

  Kei Komuro's profile page of Sep.30   As of March 30, the website of Lowenstein Sandler, the law firm where Kei Komuro was employed, has been inaccessible from Japan. 　 It is believed that access is restricted by some security measures. Komuro has been listed as a "law clerk" of the firm since the beginning of this September.   The firm's website has recently undergone the following changes.   -On October 21, a mug shot was posted on Komuro's profile page. In this photo, Komuro was wearing a gray sweatshirt, which became a hot topic because it was different from the other staff members who were all wearing suits.   -On the 22nd, the mug shot disappears from Komuro's page and reappears as a pictogram-like image.   -Around the 29th, "Fordam's JFK Profile in Courage and Sweat Equity Award" disappears from Komuro's page, and instead, the following information is added: in 2021, he won the NY State Bar Association's essay...