Japan’s former Princess Mako’s husband flunks New York bar exam

According to reports, Komuro's name was not found on the latest pass list released by the exam's organizer Friday.

Japan’s former princess Mako’s newlywed husband Kei Komuro has failed the New York State bar examination. The results were released days after the couple was married and Komuro intends to try again.

He is expected to retake the exam, possibly in February, according to a source close to the matter. According to reports, Komuro's name was not found on the latest pass list released by the exam's organizer Friday.

Mako, 30, the eldest daughter and niece of Crown Prince Fumihito gave up her royal status to marry commoner boyfriend Kei Komuro on October 26. Mako was entitled to 140-million-yen (£890,000) payment which she declined for leaving the imperial family, palace officials said, and is expected to find a job in New York.

Komuro and Mako were ‘unofficially engaged’ in 2017, just four years after they first met at university.

Komuro has been working as a law clerk in New York state since September, after graduating from a law school there. The couple are planning to move into an apartment together in Tokyo before moving to the US and living in New York City.

According to the examination board, of the 9,227 people who took the test, 5,791 passed. Those wishing to sit for the February exam must submit an application between Nov. 1 and 30.

According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, Komuro phoned lawyer Okuno Yoshihiko, the head of a firm in Japan where Komuro once worked, to tell him he failed the New York State Bar Association exam on Saturday.

According to the broadcaster, Komuro has said he plans to continue studying and will retake the exams in February. Okuno said he also spoke with Mako who said that she will continue to support her husband's studies.