Prince Akishino (left) and Princess Kiko smile with Prince Hisahito outside the Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo on Sept. 15.

Wrapped in a white cloth and cuddled by his mother, Prince Hisahito, the first heir born to the Imperial family in nearly 41 years, was asleep when he and his parents came out together from Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo's Minato Ward around half past noon.

The parents stood on the hospital's entrance steps, smiling at reporters and photographers, after bidding farewell to hospital staff.

It is the first time the newborn prince has appeared before the public. The streets were filled with cheering crowds who greeted and waved flags at the royal family as their motorcade proceeded slowly toward their residence. Police said about 1,800 people turned out.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 23, 2006
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