Mako to wed a commoner

PRINCESS Mako, the eldest granddaughter of Japanese Emperor Akihito, will wed a former classmate, the Imperial Household said.

The marriage will further deplete the royal family since female members of the Japanese imperial family have to give up their royal status if they marry non-royals.

The announcement was aired by public broadcaster NHK yesterday.

Mako, 25, is one of only four royal grandchildren.

She became engaged to Kei Komuro, who works in a Tokyo law office.