Princess Nori

The wedding between the princess, 35, and Kuroda, 39, will take place sometime after next summer, Grand Steward Toshio Yuasa said at a news conference at the Imperial Palace to announce their impending engagement.

The couple must first complete traditional ceremonies before officially declaring their engagement in accordance with the law.

The marriage will be the first in 45 years for a woman member of an emperor's immediate family. The princess must relinquish her royal title under the Imperial House Law.

Yoshiki Kuroda

The couple later met reporters at the palace in their first public appearance together since their planned engagement was reported in mid-November.

Princess Nori described Kuroda as "a man who not only has firm ideas but a broad mind that allows him to accept others' thoughts."

Kuroda said the princess is "very kind to everyone" and "always considerate."

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 8, 2005
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