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| Japan royal baby named Hisahito | Japan royal baby named Hisahito |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Japan's new imperial baby - the first male born in 41 years - has been named Hisahito during a traditional ceremony in hospital in the capital, Tokyo. | Japan's new imperial baby - the first male born in 41 years - has been named Hisahito during a traditional ceremony in hospital in the capital, Tokyo. |
| The baby was born to the emperor's second son Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko, on 6 September. | The baby was born to the emperor's second son Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko, on 6 September. |
| Prince Hisahito is third in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, behind Crown Prince Naruhito and his own father. | Prince Hisahito is third in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, behind Crown Prince Naruhito and his own father. |
| His birth, which headed off a crisis in the imperial succession, has been widely celebrated in Japan. | His birth, which headed off a crisis in the imperial succession, has been widely celebrated in Japan. |
| The name Hisahito is composed of two characters. The first means serene or long-lasting. | The name Hisahito is composed of two characters. The first means serene or long-lasting. |
| The second, which means virtuous, has traditionally been included in the name of royal males. | The second, which means virtuous, has traditionally been included in the name of royal males. |
| A palace spokeswoman, Yuka Shiina, said that name was chosen in the hope that the baby had a long prosperous life with even-tempered peace of mind, the Associated Press news agency reported. | A palace spokeswoman, Yuka Shiina, said that name was chosen in the hope that the baby had a long prosperous life with even-tempered peace of mind, the Associated Press news agency reported. |
| Crest | Crest |
| The prince was named in a private ceremony at the Tokyo hospital where Princess Kiko gave birth. | The prince was named in a private ceremony at the Tokyo hospital where Princess Kiko gave birth. |
| SUCCESSION PRESSURES Currently only males can ascend the Japanese throneEmperor Akihito has two sons, Naruhito and AkishinoIf Naruhito died without a male heir, Akishino succeedsHis baby son, Hisahito, is third in lineAny children born to Princess Sayako cannot ascend because succession follows male line Succession debate not over Head to Head: Royal birth In pictures: Birth welcomed | |
| According to tradition, his father chose the name by writing it on a piece of paper and placing it in a wooden box by his son's pillow. | According to tradition, his father chose the name by writing it on a piece of paper and placing it in a wooden box by his son's pillow. |
| His mother selected a personal crest, resembling an umbrella pine tree, that will be used to used to mark his belongings. | His mother selected a personal crest, resembling an umbrella pine tree, that will be used to used to mark his belongings. |
| The crest was chosen in the hope that the baby will grow straight and tall, the palace said. | The crest was chosen in the hope that the baby will grow straight and tall, the palace said. |
| The baby boy, who has not yet been seen in public, is the first male born into the imperial family for over four decades. | The baby boy, who has not yet been seen in public, is the first male born into the imperial family for over four decades. |
| Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters, while Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter. | Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters, while Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter. |
| Current Japanese law forbids women from ascending the throne. | Current Japanese law forbids women from ascending the throne. |
| Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been advocating constitutional reform to change this, but the debate, although supported by the public, was shelved when news of Princess Kiko's pregnancy was announced. | Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been advocating constitutional reform to change this, but the debate, although supported by the public, was shelved when news of Princess Kiko's pregnancy was announced. |
| Mr Koizumi's likely successor, conservative lawmaker Shinzo Abe, appears lukewarm on the issue, even though a poll on Monday by public broadcaster NHK showed that 56% of respondents backed the legal changes. | Mr Koizumi's likely successor, conservative lawmaker Shinzo Abe, appears lukewarm on the issue, even though a poll on Monday by public broadcaster NHK showed that 56% of respondents backed the legal changes. |
| Mother and baby are expected to leave hospital in a few days. | Mother and baby are expected to leave hospital in a few days. |