The new year has been ushered in by the auspicious news of a long-awaited announcement: Princess Nori, the only daughter of the Emperor, is engaged to Mr. Yoshiki Kuroda, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government employee. We congratulate them heartily and hope that they will serve as a bridge between the Imperial family and the people.
It will be the first time in 45 years that a female member of the Emperor's immediate family has married a commoner. In 1960, Takako Shimazu, fifth daughter of the late Emperor Showa, tied the knot with a bank employee. The event created quite a stir.
Since then the relationship between the Imperial family and the people has become much closer. It is no longer considered unusual for the Emperor's daughter to marry an ordinary person. We expect that Princess Nori and Mr. Kuroda will build a happy and prosperous family while respecting the traditions of the Imperial household.