TOKYO -- Japan's Crown Prince Akishino has approved of the long-delayed marriage of his eldest daughter, Princess Mako, to former college classmate Kei Komuro, saying that he respects the wishes of the young couple.
"If they truly want it, then I should respect that as her parent," said Akishino, who turns 55 on Monday, in a news conference ahead of his birthday. At the same time, he said the couple has not done enough to create a "situation where many people would congratulate them."
