What will security be like for Princess Mako following her move to NY after marriage?

TOKYO — Japan’s Princess Mako, the elder daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and niece of Emperor Naruhito, plans to live in the United States after her marriage to Kei Komuro later this month, but there is growing public concern about how her security outside Japan would be ensured.

When Sayako Kuroda, 52, the only daughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, married a commoner in 2005, she was designated by the National Police Agency as an individual requiring security. After she started living in Tokyo, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) continued to keep her under guard.

The MPD contains an Imperial escort division for guarding Imperial Family members, and a security division that protects the prime minister and other dignitaries. After Sayako married and left the Imperial Family, the security division was supposed to take charge of looking over her, but staff at the Imperial escort division reportedly continued to guard her due to their close relationship.

An individual close to police forces told the Mainichi Shimbun, “Police do not necessarily provide heavy security to all of those who leave the Imperial Family. Rather than the intentions of the individual former family members, the level of public concern about them forms the basis for judgment (on their security).”

Princess Mako is expected to temporarily live in a condominium in Tokyo with Komuro after she leaves the Akasaka Estate upon her marriage. A senior police official speculates that “she will be designated as an individual requiring security during that period, like former Princess Sayako.” It is also likely that a police box will be set up in front of Princess Mako’s home and she will be placed under round-the-clock security.

If Princess Mako and Komuro move to New York, however, their security will drastically change, as Japanese police do not possess policing authority overseas. It will not be permitted in the U.S. for Japanese officers with guns and other weapons to guard her, and they could play the role of private security guards at best.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but authorities will probably first ask the United States to provide security for her,” surmised a police-connected individual regarding security for Princess Mako in New York.

Specifically, the security service may include regular patrols around her home and, if necessary, providing bodyguards for her. In such cases, Japanese police may dispatch officers as a liaison between them and local police.

A senior police official emphasized, “Tough men guarding a subject all the time is not the only form of security.”

Meanwhile, there still remains criticism against Princess Mako’s marriage to Komuro.

“There might be harsh views directed at continuing to provide security for the princess. But as there are possibilities trouble could arise, security will need to be provided as necessary,” another high-ranking police official commented.

(Japanese original by Naritake Machida and Buntaro Saito, Tokyo City News Department)