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| Japan princess gives birth to boy | Japan princess gives birth to boy |
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| Japan's Princess Kiko has given birth to a baby boy, potentially resolving the imperial family's succession crisis. | |
| The 39-year-old princess gave birth by a Caesarean section two weeks early, after complications in the pregnancy. | The 39-year-old princess gave birth by a Caesarean section two weeks early, after complications in the pregnancy. |
| Princess Kiko, wife of the current emperor's second son, already has two daughters, but women are not allowed to ascend to the Chrysthanthemum throne. | |
| Her son becomes the first male heir to be born into Japan's royal family in | |
| more than four decades. | |
| The present heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter, while Princess Sayako is married to a commoner, so if she were to have children they could not be considered. | The present heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako, have a young daughter, while Princess Sayako is married to a commoner, so if she were to have children they could not be considered. |
| Coverage | Coverage |
| Princess Kiko's son was born weighing 2,558 grams (5lbs 10oz) at 0827 local time (2327 GMT Tuesday). | Princess Kiko's son was born weighing 2,558 grams (5lbs 10oz) at 0827 local time (2327 GMT Tuesday). |
| 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, so far unnamed, becomes third in linePrincess Sayako married a commoner so her children cannot ascend throne In pictures: Japan welcomes 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, so far unnamed, becomes third in linePrincess Sayako married a commoner so her children cannot ascend throne In pictures: Japan welcomes birth |
| Reports say mother and child are both in good condition. | Reports say mother and child are both in good condition. |
| The pregnancy has attracted enormous interest in Japan. | The pregnancy has attracted enormous interest in Japan. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "I am very glad that the prince was born," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is likely to become Japan's next prime minister. | "I am very glad that the prince was born," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is likely to become Japan's next prime minister. |
| "I truly feel relieved and happy to receive a report that both the princess and the prince are fine. | "I truly feel relieved and happy to receive a report that both the princess and the prince are fine. |
| Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino already have two daughters"It's a refreshing feeling that reminds us of a clear autumn sky." | Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino already have two daughters"It's a refreshing feeling that reminds us of a clear autumn sky." |
| Conservatives had hoped Princess Kiko would give birth to a boy, thereby bringing an end to debate on whether the constitution should be revised to allow women to ascend to the throne. | Conservatives had hoped Princess Kiko would give birth to a boy, thereby bringing an end to debate on whether the constitution should be revised to allow women to ascend to 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. |
| "Reforming the Imperial Household Law is an important issue that concerns the stability of the imperial family," said Shinzo Abe. | "Reforming the Imperial Household Law is an important issue that concerns the stability of the imperial family," said Shinzo Abe. |
| "We must carry on the debate in a careful and calm manner." | "We must carry on the debate in a careful and calm manner." |
| 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 will benefit them. | Baby and maternity product companies are also hoping the birth 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. |