Princess's $1.3m Wedding Gift 'not Enough'

For most newlyweds a tax-free gift of a million dollars would be more than enough to embark on a new life together. Not so for Princess Sayako, the only daughter of the Japanese emperor, who will receive a one-off gift of $1.3m (about £735,000) of public money when she marries next month.

Although the sum was unanimously agreed yesterday by the imperial household economic council, headed by the prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, some council members were reportedly unhappy. One unnamed member reportedly said the amount was "not even enough to buy a house in Tokyo".

The princess is marrying Yoshiki Kuroda, 40, a civil servant, on November 15. As soon as she does, the 36-year-old, popularly known as Princess Nori, will relinquish her title and live as a commoner. The lump sum is the maximum allowed by law, the imperial household said. She is said to be nervous about life outside the palace, where she has been spared the media attention directed at her sister-in-law, Masako, who is married to crown prince Naruhito, next in line to the throne.

The announcement came as a conservative group began a campaign to oppose moves to allow women to ascend the throne. Japan faces a constitutional crisis because Naruhito and Masako have not produced a male heir.

A government panel is expected to recommend a change to the law that could see Masako and Naruhito's three-year-old daughter, Aiko, become the first empress for more than 200 years.