<figure id="attachment_213160" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213160"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="531ed860"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/4d691735fca0572d40974cbb92a603dd.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213160" class="wp-caption-text">She and Princess Kako, who had gone on to the secondary school, went to the high school. Her classmates nicknamed her &#8220;Makosy.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>From her birth and Gakushuin Girls&#8217; Junior and Senior High School days to her first official duties</h3>
<p>It has been four years since the unofficial announcement of the engagement. After many twists and turns, Mako, 30, and her husband, Kei Komuro, 30, have begun a &#8220;new life. Upon their marriage, they left the imperial family. She will start her new life as an &#8220;ordinary woman&#8221; in New York. Let&#8217;s take a look back at Mako&#8217;s 30 years as a member of the Imperial Family with her treasured photos.</p>
<h3>Birth in 1991</h3>
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<figure id="attachment_213037" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213037"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="aeee7052"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2017083100324_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213037" class="wp-caption-text">Mako was born on October 23, 1991, at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital. She weighed 3,238 grams and gave birth to a healthy baby immediately after birth.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Mako was born at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in 1991. In 1998, she entered Gakushuin Elementary School and continued on to Gakushuin Girls&#8217; High School with excellent grades. In her second year of high school, she performed her first official duties alone. Midori Watanabe, an imperial family journalist who has covered the female members of the Imperial Family for half a century and a visiting professor at Bunka Gakuen University, says, &#8220;Her first official duty was to the Imperial Household.</p>
<p><strong> &#8220;Her first official duty was to deliver a small horse called &#8216;Noma&#8217; to the Ueno Zoo, and Mako was in charge of welcoming the horse. The press looked on anxiously, but Mako stayed close to the horse and gently touched and cared for it. The woman in charge of the horses was surprised, saying, &#8216;Your Highness, you&#8217;re not afraid of them at all.</strong></p>
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<p>It is said that the name &#8220;Mako&#8221; expresses the wish that &#8220;she will not lose her innate qualities, but will lead her life naturally, without any adornment, just as she is. As her name implies, Mako has been able to forge her own path with her own hands. A member of the Akishino family said.</p>
<p><strong> Mako&#8217;s strength of will is inherited from her father: &#8220;Once she decides to do something, she will do it until the end. After graduating from high school, he went to ICU (International Christian University) instead of Gakushuin University because he wanted to use what he had learned when he married into a normal family and went out into the world.</strong></p>
<p>With renewed determination, &#8220;Mako Komuro&#8221; is forging her own path.</p>
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<h3>Visit to the birth of Princess Kako in 1994</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213036" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213036"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="53a1aeb4"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/jpp024241497_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213036" class="wp-caption-text">On December 29, 1994, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress visited Princess Kiko after she gave birth to Kako. Prince Akishino is also seen.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;96 Enters kindergarten</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213038" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213038"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ab2ba9fb"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/1996041100025_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213038" class="wp-caption-text">&#8217;96: Mr. and Mrs. Akishino take her by the hand to the entrance ceremony of Gakushuin Kindergarten</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;98 Enters elementary school</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213039" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213039"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="87f1959f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/1998041000034_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213039" class="wp-caption-text">Entered Gakushuin Elementary School (&#8217;98). He is said to have been a child who never put himself forward, but was attentive and kind to his classmates.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Visits the King and Queen of Thailand in 2003</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213040" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 4116px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213040"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="77673895"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2003081800194_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213040" class="wp-caption-text">In 2003, Prince and Princess Akishino visited the King and Queen of Thailand. At an elementary school in Bangkok, Mako enjoyed making Thai sweets.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;04 Entered junior high school</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213041" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213041"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7d9301dc"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2004040600023_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213041" class="wp-caption-text">&#8216;Mako at her entrance to Gakushuin Girls&#8217; Secondary School. She is said to have acquired the dignity of a member of the royal family, while at the same time being cheerful with her classmates.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Visit to the birth of Prince Eugene in &#8217;06</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213042" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213042"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="5ac65aa3"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/0222696_02_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213042" class="wp-caption-text">On September 6, 2006, Kako and Mako visited Princess Kiko at Aiiku Hospital to see her give birth to Prince Eugene.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Entered high school in 2007</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213043" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213043"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="fdaeea73"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2010032200375_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213043" class="wp-caption-text">Attended high school with Kako, who had gone on to the junior high school. She was nicknamed &#8220;Makosy&#8221; by her classmates.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;08 First time to go on official duties alone</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213044" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213044"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="23be0abb"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2008042000097_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213044" class="wp-caption-text">In 2008, when she was a sophomore in high school, she attended the presentation ceremony for the &#8220;Nomma Horse,&#8221; her first official duty, and performed her role admirably.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Coming of age in &#8217;11</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213045" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213045"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="18f46ac1"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2011102300300_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213045" class="wp-caption-text">In October &#8217;11, Mako came of age and visited the Imperial Palace in formal dress to greet Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;14 Graduates from ICU</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213052" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213052"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="9e17d0d7"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2014032600059_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213052" class="wp-caption-text">On March 26, 2002, Mako graduated from ICU (International Christian University) and began her official duties as an adult member of the Imperial Family.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;15 Official visit to El Salvador</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213054" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213054"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f91a57ed"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/jpp020411613_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213054" class="wp-caption-text">In 2003, Mako made her first solo official visit abroad to El Salvador in Central America. As you can see, she greeted the president in kimono.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Observation of Princess Eugene&#8217;s Sports Day in &#8217;16</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213055" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213055"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="c19661d2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/0222964_06_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213055" class="wp-caption-text">In 2004, she and Kiko observed Princess Eugene&#8217;s field day. They cheered and applauded as Princess Eugene ran as hard as she could.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Visiting the King and Queen of Bhutan in &#8217;17</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213053" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213053"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ec31515e"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2017060700018_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213053" class="wp-caption-text">In &#8217;17, Mako paid an official visit to the King and Queen of Bhutan. She wore a kira, a traditional Bhutanese costume, and tried her hand at the traditional bow and arrow.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;17: Mako continues to work hard on her official duties after the news of her engagement</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213056" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2598px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213056"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="968f43ef"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2017063000570.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213056" class="wp-caption-text">In &#8217;17, Mako attended the annual New Year&#8217;s &#8220;Uta-kai-shachi-no-gigi&#8221; ceremony. Even after her engagement to Mr. Komuro was reported, she actively participated in public affairs.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;17, Smiling engagement informal press conference with Kei Komuro</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213057" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213057"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="bbb845f2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/2017090300234_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213057" class="wp-caption-text">The informal engagement press conference with Kei Komuro held on September 3, 2005. Mako said with a smile, &#8220;At first, I was attracted by [Mr. Komuro&#8217;s] sunny smile.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;21: Mako performs her last official duties as a member of the Imperial Family.</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213058" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213058"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f3ad3980"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/5a9309c3c0df0ba4a1033e2e95e82d8a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213058" class="wp-caption-text">On September 30, 2009, Mr. Komuro delivered a video message at the &#8220;International Ceramics Festival Mino &#8217;21,&#8221; his last official event.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>&#8217;21 Participated in the last palace ritual</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213059" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213059"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="11a32ec2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/0006_original_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213059" class="wp-caption-text">On October 17, 2009, Mako and Kako attended the final imperial ritual at the Kashikokoro, the Imperial Palace.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>A farewell embrace with Kako on their wedding day in 2009.</h3>
<figure id="attachment_213061" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-213061"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="b8a87048"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/11/kako_re.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-213061" class="wp-caption-text">On October 26, 2009, Mako gave her final greetings to Prince and Princess Akishino and Princess Kako, and left the Akasaka Imperial Palace where she had spent 30 years. As they parted, Mako embraced Kako, bringing tears to the eyes of the nation.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>From &#8220;FRIDAY&#8221; November 12, 2020 issue</p>


 Imperial Household Agency, JMPA, Jiji Press, Kyodo News

 Four years have passed since the engagement press conference. After many twists and turns, Mako married her husband, Kei Komuro. She left the Imperial Family and began a "new life" as an "ordinary woman. We look back on the 30 years of Mako's life as a member of the Imperial Family with treasured photos.

A look back at 30 years of Mako’s life as a member of the Imperial Family through treasured photos

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