Princess Kiko enters the Imperial Household Hospital on July 12.

Kiko -- who is due to give birth in late September -- has symptoms of partial placenta previa, a condition in which part of the placenta drops too low in the uterus, palace doctor Ichiro Kanazawa said in a statement released through the Imperial Household Agency.

"We believe a Caesarean section will be needed at the time of delivery, which is highly likely to come at an earlier date than originally expected," Kanazawa said.

"There is a high risk of early bleeding, infection or pre-term birth triggered by the placenta previa," Kanazawa said. "In order to prevent these possible complications, the princess will have to rest for some time."

The doctor said Kiko and the fetus, whose gender has not been disclosed, are in good health, but added that Kiko might have to be hospitalized if her condition gets worse.

The pregnancy of the 39-year-old wife of Prince Akishino, who is the second son of Emperor Akihito, has won national attention because the Imperial family has failed to produce a male heir to the throne since 1965.

Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Crown Princess Masako, have one child -- 4-year-old Princess Aiko.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had pushed for legislation that would allow a woman to take the Imperial throne as a way to resolve the royal succession crisis.

A Koizumi-appointed expert panel last year recommended changing a 1947 law that allows only males to reign.

But Kiko's pregnancy announcement in February raised hopes for a male heir and took the steam out of Koizumi's drive.

Lawmakers said future discussions would take into consideration Kiko's pregnancy.

Princess Kiko already has two daughters, Mako, 14, and Kako, 11, with whom Kiko had no pregnancy complications.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 22, 2006
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