Kei Komuro, the longtime boyfriend of Princess Mako of Japan, left Tokyo on Tuesday to attend law school at Fordham University in New York.

Komuro and Emperor Akihito's eldest granddaughter met in 2012 as students at International Christian University in Tokyo and soon began dating.

The couple, both 26, had planned to marry later this year and had already received the emperor's blessing, but the plans were abruptly delayed until 2020 after a string of reports that Komuro's mother was in a dispute over money with her former fiance.

Currently a paralegal at a Tokyo law firm, Komuro will study in New York for three years and aim to pass the state's bar examination.

Escorted by police at Narita airport, he repeatedly bowed before boarding his plane as one of the reporters called to him and said, "Wishing you the best."

The Imperial Household Agency has denied any connection between the reports about Komuro's mother and the delayed marriage, saying the couple needed more time to prepare.

According to a source familiar with the couple's thinking, they still plan to get married and Komuro is studying abroad to give them "more stability."

Komuro will study at Fordham on a full scholarship in his first year and also receive financial support from his law firm.