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Japan awaits news on royal baby Japan princess in delivery room
(about 11 hours later)
Excitement is mounting in Japan ahead of the expected arrival of a royal baby who could resolve the country's succession crisis. Japan's Princess Kiko has entered the delivery room to give birth to her third child, two weeks early.
Princess Kiko, wife of the emperor's second son, is due to give birth to her third child in a Tokyo hospital on Wednesday, two weeks early. The 39-year-old princess is to undergo a Caesarean section after complications in the pregnancy.
She is to undergo a Caesarean section after complications in the pregnancy.
At present, only men can ascend the throne, but the current emperor's children are yet to produce a boy.At present, only men can ascend the throne, but the current emperor's children are yet to produce a boy.
Princess Kiko, wife of the emperor's second son, already has two daughters, but the sex of her new baby has remained a closely-guarded secret.
The present heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter, while Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters.The present heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter, while Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters.
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 wife, Kiko, is now pregnantPrincess Sayako married a commoner so her children cannot ascend throne End of royal reform?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 wife, Kiko, is now pregnantPrincess Sayako married a commoner so her children cannot ascend throne End of royal reform?
Princess Sayako is married to a commoner, so if she were to have children they could not be considered.Princess Sayako is married to a commoner, so if she were to have children they could not be considered.
CoverageCoverage
The pregnancy has attracted enormous interest in Japan.The pregnancy has attracted enormous interest in Japan.
Princess Kiko, 39, has been in hospital since 16 August because of symptoms of partial placenta previa, a condition in which part of the placenta drops too low in the uterus. Princess Kiko has been in hospital since 16 August because of symptoms of partial placenta previa, a condition in which part of the placenta drops too low in the uterus.
Doctors said when she went into hospital that the move was precautionary and the pregnancy was proceeding well.Doctors said when she went into hospital that the move was precautionary and the pregnancy was proceeding well.
Conservatives are hoping that Princess Kiko will give birth to a boy, thereby bringing an end to debate on whether the constitution should be revised to allow women to ascend the throne.Conservatives are hoping that Princess Kiko will give birth to a boy, thereby bringing an end to debate on whether the constitution should be revised to allow women to ascend the throne.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been advocating such a reform, and there appeared to be support for it amongst the Japanese public.Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been advocating such a reform, and there appeared to be support for it amongst the Japanese public.
But the reform plans were shelved, amid strong opposition from conservative palace officials and some politicians, when the royal pregnancy was announced.But the reform plans were shelved, amid strong opposition from conservative palace officials and some politicians, when the royal pregnancy was announced.
Japanese media are set to give the birth comprehensive coverage and have begun to speculate on the gender of the baby.Japanese media are set to give the birth comprehensive coverage and have begun to speculate on the gender of the baby.
But Mr Koizumi was more circumspect.But Mr Koizumi was more circumspect.
"I'm hoping for a healthy baby. This is such happy news," he told journalists. "It would be even better if this makes young people want to have more babies.""I'm hoping for a healthy baby. This is such happy news," he told journalists. "It would be even better if this makes young people want to have more babies."
Japan's birth rate has continued to decline in recent years and the government has been working on ways of persuading women to have more children.Japan's birth rate has continued to decline in recent years and the government has been working on ways of persuading women to have more children.
Baby and maternity product companies are also hoping the birth, whether a boy or a girl, will benefit them.Baby and maternity product companies are also hoping the birth, whether a boy or a girl, will benefit them.
Shares in baby-linked firms rose ahead of the birth, with one baby food company's shares hitting a high for the year on Monday, the Associated Press news agency reported.Shares in baby-linked firms rose ahead of the birth, with one baby food company's shares hitting a high for the year on Monday, the Associated Press news agency reported.