A panel of experts studying the issue of allowing female members of Japan's imperial family to retain their status after marrying commoners is considering not granting such status to their husbands and children, government sources have said.

The possibility has been raised as controversy over the planned marriage between Princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, and commoner Kei Komuro, continues to simmer. Some members of the panel have indicated their opposition to granting imperial status to Komuro, who recently graduated from a law school in New York, the sources said Friday.

The marriage of the couple, both 29, has been postponed for more than two years following media reports of a financial dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance, who claims she owes him over ¥4 million ($36,000) including money that covered Komuro's educational expenses.