Japanese Princess Ayako marries commoner in ritual-filled ceremony

Japan's Princess Ayako married a commoner in a ritual-filled ceremony Monday (29 October 2018) at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine. Ayako and groom Kei Moriya were shown on national news walking slowly before guests at the shrine. The wedding took place in one of the pagoda-like buildings in the shrine complex and included an exchange of rings and a sharing of a cup of sake, according to Japanese media. Both rituals are relatively routine for Shinto-style weddings, including those of regular Japanese. Ayako, 28, is the daughter of the emperor's cousin, and Moriya, 32, works for major shipping company Nippon Yusen.