Princess Ayako, a daughter of a late cousin to Emperor Akihito, said Monday she hit it off with her husband-to-be Kei Moriya from the time they first met last December at the introduction of her mother, Princess Hisako.
Also Monday, the Imperial Household Agency said the 84-year-old Emperor fell ill earlier in the day, experiencing dizziness and nausea due to cerebral anemia, a condition where there is insufficient blood flow to the brain. His public duties for the day were canceled.
The 27-year-old Princess Ayako, the third and youngest daughter of Princess Hisako and the late Prince Takamado, made the remark at a joint news conference with Moriya at the Imperial Household Agency, held several hours after the agency formally announced their engagement.