Latest news with #MakoKomuro
Tokyo Weekender
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Japanese Births Fall Below 700,000 for the First Time
This week's news roundup is dominated by baby-related stories. We report on the latest figures concerning Japanese births as they continue to decline at an alarming rate. Mako Komuro , the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Akiko, welcomes her first child. And Ayumi Hamasaki denies rumors that Elon Musk fathered her children. Also this week, two Japanese men are killed in China over a business dispute . A Japanese Kick streamer is arrested for wearing women's underwear on his head. And we pay our respects to the former Yomiuri Giants legend Shigeo Nagashima , who passed away on Tuesday. List of Contents: Japanese Births Fall for the Ninth Consecutive Year Two Japanese Men Killed in China Over Business Dispute Former Japanese Princess Mako Welcomes First Child Elon Musk Reportedly Fathered Child With Japanese Pop Star, Ayumi Hamasaki Says It's Not Her Japanese Streamer Arrested for Wearing Women's Underwear on His Head Japan's 'Mr. Professional Baseball' Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89 Related Posts Japanese Births Fall for the Ninth Consecutive Year For the first time in recorded history, the number of Japanese births fell below 700,000 in 2024. According to the health ministry's data, released on Wednesday, just 686,061 Japanese babies were born here last year. That's 44,227 fewer than in 2023, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. The figures exclude foreign nationals born in Japan and Japanese nationals born overseas. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicted that births wouldn't dip below 690,000 until 2039. Its forecast for 2024 was 755,000. There was also a drop in the total fertility rate — the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime based on current birth rates — which fell to a record low of 1.15, down by 0.05 from the previous year. Dalian city in Liaoning province Two Japanese Men Killed in China Over Business Dispute On Tuesday, Dalian police confirmed that a 42-year-old male suspect of Chinese nationality was arrested on suspicion of murder following the deaths of two Japanese men on May 23. The suspect, Yuan Chenggong, and the two victims were allegedly business partners in Japan who had been visiting Dalian. It is believed that the incident was triggered by a business conflict. Yuan was detained on May 24. On Thursday, Hong Kong's Sing Tao daily reported that Yuan believed he'd been deceived by the victims over the purchase of a hot spring hotel near Mount Fuji. The newspaper cited information posted on China's WeChat platform by a mainland Chinese journalist. According to the publication, the Chinese man acquired Fuji Sansuikan Hotel by Lake Kawaguchi. He also founded a real estate company in Tokyo in 2021. Former Japanese Princess Mako Welcomes First Child The Imperial Household Agency recently confirmed that Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Akiko, has given birth to her first child. In May, the online news outlet Josei Seven Plus posted a picture of Mako and her husband, Kei Komuro, pushing a stroller in a suburb of Manhattan. The agency, therefore, felt it was time to make a statement. 'This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment,' said Grand Master Naomasa Yoshida. 'We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports.' Mako lost her royal status in 2021 following her marriage to Komuro. Her brother, Prince Hisahito, is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Elon Musk Reportedly Fathered Child With Japanese Pop Star, Ayumi Hamasaki Says It's Not Her In an interview with The New York Times that was published last Friday, Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer who announced that she gave birth to Elon Musk's 14th child in February, claimed that the world's richest man has also fathered a baby with a Japanese pop star. Unsurprisingly, this sparked an online frenzy of speculation, with many suggesting Ayumi Hamasaki as the potential mother. On Monday, Japan's 'Empress of Pop' quashed that rumor. 'I've been keeping an eye on this, and I guess it's time for me to speak up. Elon Musk is not the father of [either of] my children,' she wrote on her Instagram story. The singer added that she could understand why people thought it was her as it was the 'sort of thing' she would do. Japanese Streamer Arrested for Wearing Women's Underwear on His Head A Japanese Kick streamer who goes by the name of Zokkunzokkun was arrested on Monday on suspicion of violating the prefectural nuisance prevention ordinance. His crime: running around a residential estate in Chiba Prefecture while wearing women's underwear on his head. One woman reported his behavior as 'scary and shocking.' The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. on May 19 in Ishikawa city. Looking like the lead character from the Kyūkyoku!! Hentai Kamen comedy manga series, Zokkunzokkun live streamed himself wandering the streets with pink panties on his face that covered his nose and mouth. He was also wearing a white gym uniform and red bloomers. The Kick streamer told officers he wanted to stir things up and increase the number of viewers on his site. Japan's 'Mr. Professional Baseball' Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89 Former Yomiuri Giants legend Shigeo Nagashima passed away on Tuesday morning due to pneumonia. He was 89. One of the most popular Japanese players in the history of the sport, he was referred to as 'Mr. Professional Baseball' and 'Mr. Giants' in this country. Former Giants player Hideki Matsui flew back to Japan from the United States on Wednesday to offer his condolences at his former manager's home. 'The biggest thing is gratitude,' he said . 'Without getting to meet him, baseball player Hideki Matsui would have spent a totally different baseball career.' During his 17-year career, Nagashima won the Central League batting title six times and was the home run king twice. He was also named the Central League's MVP five times. Along with his teammate, Sadaharu Oh, he was a superstar who transcended the sport. Related Posts Japan Attempts To Ban Outlandish Kirakira Baby Names Number of Foreign Visitors to Japan Hits Yet Another Record High British Couple in Shorts and T-Shirt Rescued From 'Ghost of Yotei' Mountain
Tokyo Weekender
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Former Japanese Princess Mako Welcomes First Child
The Imperial Household Agency recently confirmed that Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Akiko, has given birth to her first child. The agency's Grand Master, Naomasa Yoshida, didn't disclose the date of birth or sex of the baby, though, as Mako is no longer a member of the royal family. 'This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment,' said Yoshida. 'We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports (about the birth).' Mako and Kei Pictured With Stroller After Birth of First Child Josei Seven Plus was the first to break the story on May 22. The online news outlet posted a picture of Mako and her husband, Kei Komuro, pushing a stroller in a suburb of Manhattan. According to the article, the pair moved into a detached house in the area in March of this year. The couple tied the knot in 2021, four years after announcing their engagement. As a result of the wedding, Mako became the ninth Japanese princess to lose her royal status since 1945. Under the Imperial Household Finance Act, she was entitled to a one-time payment of up to ¥152.5 million, funded by taxpayers. The Troubled Wedding That Reignited the Succession Debate Mako was the first Japanese princess since World War II to forgo the money. Her decision to turn down the cash was believed to be related to the negative press the wedding received due to revelations about a financial dispute involving Komuro's mother and her ex-fiancé. The former princess was subsequently diagnosed with 'complex post-traumatic stress disorder.' The wedding also reignited the succession debate. Currently, the future of the oldest hereditary monarchy is dependent on whether Mako's brother, 18-year-old Prince Hisahito, one day produces a male heir. The Imperial Household Law of 1889 barred females from ruling. Though the law was amended in 1947, the male-only succession stipulation remained in place. Related Posts Things To Know About Princess Mako | List of 7 Imperial Wedding Reignites Succession Debate 10 Things You Didn't Need About Emperor Naruhito The 5 Most Outrageous Royal Scandals in Japanese History
Epoch Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Japan's Palace Confirms Former Princess Mako Has First Baby
TOKYO—Former Japanese princess Mako Komuro has given birth to her first child, palace officials confirmed Friday, though they gave no details, saying she is no longer a royal member. The Imperial Household Agency said both the mother and child are in good health, but did not disclose the baby's date of birth or gender.
Japan Today
30-05-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Former Princess Mako gives birth to 1st child
Mako Komuro, Crown Prince Fumihito's eldest daughter who married out of the imperial family, gave birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. The 33-year-old mother and the child -- the first grandchild of the crown prince and the first great-grandchild of former Emperor Akihito -- are both in good health, a source close to the matter said. Naomasa Yoshida, the top aide to the crown prince's family, said in a press conference that the family is "delighted and wishes days of happiness" for the former princess' family. Yoshida did not reveal when Komuro gave birth or the sex of the child, saying, "It is a matter of someone who has left the imperial family, and we hope (the family) will spend their time in a quiet environment." The former princess married her university sweetheart Kei Komuro in October 2021 and has since moved to New York, where her husband works as a lawyer. Japan's 1947 Imperial House Law stipulates that female members of the imperial family lose their royal status upon marrying commoners. © KYODO
Kyodo News
30-05-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
Japan's former Princess Mako gives birth to 1st child
KYODO NEWS - 9 hours ago - 21:07 | All, Japan Mako Komuro, Crown Prince Fumihito's eldest daughter who married out of the imperial family, gave birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. The 33-year-old mother and the child -- the first grandchild of the crown prince and the first great-grandchild of former Emperor Akihito -- are both in good health, a source close to the matter said. Naomasa Yoshida, the top aide to the crown prince's family, said in a press conference that the family is "delighted and wishes days of happiness" for the former princess' family. Yoshida did not reveal when Komuro gave birth or the sex of the child, saying, "It is a matter of someone who has left the imperial family, and we hope (the family) will spend their time in a quiet environment." The former princess married her university sweetheart Kei Komuro in October 2021 and has since moved to New York, where her husband works as a lawyer. Japan's 1947 Imperial House Law stipulates that female members of the imperial family lose their royal status upon marrying commoners. Related coverage: Princess Aiko to make 1st official overseas visit in Nov. to Laos Japan imperial couple to visit Hiroshima in June, 1st since ascension Japan OKs Princess Kako's June Brazil visit to mark 130 yrs of ties
