In remarkably outspoken comments, Prince Akishino has indicated that he thinks the cost of the Daijosai (see below) ritual to be held following next year's Imperial succession should be covered by the Imperial family's day-to-day expenses, rather than by public funds.
The government has decided public funds will be used to pay for the Daijosai ritual. It is extremely unusual for a member of the Imperial family to publicly express doubts over such a decision.
During a press conference prior to his 53rd birthday on Friday, Prince Akishino questioned the government's decision to use "palace-related expenses," which are used for the Imperial family's official duties, to cover the costs of the Daijosai. The prince wondered if it would affect the Constitution as it is a highly religious event.
"[The ritual] should be covered by the personal expenses of the inner-court members of the Imperial family," he said.
While insisting the Daijosai should "definitely" be conducted, the prince said the ritual is "supposed to be conducted on an affordable scale."
The prince said he conveyed his thoughts to Imperial Household Agency Grand Steward Shinichiro Yamamoto and other officials, but "they did not listen to me." He said this was "extremely unfortunate."
The crown prince, who will take part in the Daijosai as the new emperor, has accepted the use of public funds for the ritual.
Meanwhile, Prince Akishino also spoke about the postponement of his oldest daughter Princess Mako's marriage to Kei Komuro.
"If they both still feel that they want to get married, the necessary measures should be taken," the prince said, the first time he has made public comments of that nature.
As weekly magazines have reported about a financial dispute involving Komuro's family since the end of 2017, the couple, who are both 27, announced in February that they had postponed their wedding because of "insufficient preparations."
Apparently with the media reports in mind, the prince called for measures by the Komuro side. "Unless there is a situation in which many people are content [with the marriage] and happy for them, the Nosai no Gi, a formal engagement ceremony, cannot be held," Prince Akishino said.
-- Daijosai
A ritual at which the new Emperor prays for abundant harvests and peace for the nation. This ritual is held only once during the Emperor's reign. Because it is strongly Shinto in nature, the Daijosai will be held on Nov. 14 and 15 next year as an Imperial family event separate from the series of ceremonies for the enthronement, which is a state affair. The Daijosai will be held at a structure to be built at the Imperial Palace. When the previous Daijosai was held at the start of the current Heisei era, it was covered using about 2.2 billion yen in public funds.
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