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It's a Boy for Japan's Imperial Family; Succession Crisis Over
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=13D1D66:A6F02AD83191E160E9E436FD4AE1A7959574F7DCC14957C0 Boy, weighing 2.5
kilograms, will become third in line to throne after Crown Prince
Naruhito and Princess Kiko's husband, Prince Akishino





Young Japanese women read an extra reporting the birth of new prince
in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006Japan's Princess Kiko has given birth
to the imperial family's first baby boy in 40 years - averting a
succession crisis for its Chrysanthemum Throne.

For the first time in four decades, a male child has been born into
Japan's imperial family.

After a complicated pregnancy, 39-year-old Princess Kiko delivered by
caesarean section her third child - and first boy - Wednesday morning
at the private Aiiku hospital in Tokyo.

The princess' doctor, Masao Nakabayashi, says mother and son are doing
well.

The doctor says right after the delivery, the princess said she felt
fine and expressed gratitude.

The boy, weighing two-and-a-half kilograms, will become third in line
to the throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and Kiko's husband, Prince
Akishino.

Wednesday's royal birth may now suspend the debate on whether to
revise the succession law and allow a female monarch.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe - who is expected to become Japan's
next prime minister later this month - was asked by reporters about
the future of succession changes just hours after the birth of the new
prince.

Abe says in light of the prince's birth, the government should
carefully debate any change to the imperial succession law and take
into consideration public opinion.

The last woman to reign in Japan was Gosakuramachi in the late 18th
century. As was the case with the seven other women who occupied the
throne, she was compelled to abdicate when a suitable male heir was
ready to rule.

The Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest in terms of hereditary
succession, stretches back 125 generations. The royal family has no
political power but remains a revered symbol of the state.

The prince's birth sets off a series of imperial rituals, including a
naming ceremony, which will take place in seven days.