Japan's Royal Birth: A Future Successor Has Been Born

By Deborah Lambeth

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko announced to a waiting Japan the news of the birth of their son. The child, yet unnamed, was born by Caesarean section on Wednesday. At a news conference today, doctors said that Akishino and Kiko had told them they did not wish to know beforehand. There had been speculation over the sex of the baby and the debate over the line of succession. Many felt like the Japanese tradition was for a male to assume the throne.

However, without any male children in the family, they were beginning to think about the possibility of a woman ruling. Naruhito, Akihito’s oldest son, and his wife Masako have one daughter. They do not have any sons. Prince Akishino’s son is the first male heir in forty years. To say that Princess Kito is an honored woman today is putting it lightly because she has renewed the support for the Imperial Throne.

Newspapers sold out quickly upon news of the royal birth, sparking extra editions to be printed. Scores of people stood outside the hospital waiting for the news on the baby. The baby weighed 5lbs.10 oz. And was born at 8:27 a.m. Mother and child were doing well. There was some concern during the pregnancy when Kiko started experiencing signs of partial placenta previa, in which part of the placenta drops too low in the uterus. Officials, however, said the pregnancy was never compromised.

A cycle of ancient imperial ceremonies began soon after the baby’s birth. For example, an emissary from Akihito was seen delivering a special sword to Akishino's residence as a symbol of protection for the new infant.

While the arrival of this new baby quells the immediate discussions on the succession of the throne, it has not shelved the discussion entirely. There is still the issue of deciding about women and the throne. However, for now, the focus is on celebrating the arrival of this future monarch.