People rush to get newspaper extras on Princess Kiko giving birth to a boy at Nagoya Station on Sept. 6.

He is the first male born to the Imperial family in 41 years and the third in line to the throne after Crown Prince Naruhito, 46, and Prince Akishino, 40.

The birth put off the succession crisis facing the Imperial family for a while, according to experts. Imperial House Law allows only males with emperors on their father's side to ascend the throne.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters, Princess Mako, 14 and Princess Kako, 11. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako have one daughter, Princess Aiko, 4.

Amid public support for putting Aiko on the throne, a special panel last year recommended consideration of changing the law.

The divisive debate, however, was dropped in February when Kiko announced she was pregnant.

The 39-year-old princess gave birth to her third child, who weighs 2,558 grams, at 8:27 a.m. by Cesarean section at Aiiku Hospital in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Both the baby and the mother are in good health, according to government sources.

Prince Akishino arrived at the hospital at around 7 a.m. to wait for the delivery. Princess Kiko entered the operating room a few minutes before 8 a.m.

Princess Kiko was admitted to the hospital Aug. 16 for the Cesarean section following pregnancy complications. It was the first time anyone in the Imperial family has undergone this operation.

The princess met Prince Akishino in the 1980s when they were studying at Gakushuin University in Tokyo. They married in June 1990.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 9, 2006
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