In case you have not heard, Japan’s Princess Kiko, the wife of Prince Akishino, is pregnant and due to give birth in early September. This will be the first baby in the Japanese royal family in over four years, but the big news is this one might be a boy.
The sex of the baby is not known, but everyone is hoping for a boy since the Imperial Family has not had one since Prince Akishino was born in 1965. The current laws state that only a male can take reign of the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy. This has caused much stress as Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have produced two daughters so far. Prince Akishino’s older brother, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako, have one child, a daughter as well.
Up until this pregnancy, there were rumors of a possibility of changing the law, allowing Crown Prince Naruhito’s daughter, Princess Aiko, to take the Chrysanthemum throne. Many conservatives are against this and if it happens, it would be the first time since the 18th century that a female was reigning over Japan.
National and Imperial Seal of Japan. Imperial Seal of Chrysanthemum
Princess Kiko left for the hospital yesterday, perhaps in part because she has been showing signs of partial placenta previa. This condition occurs when a portion of the placenta drops too low into uterus. Despite the hospitalization, doctors say the Princess is in good health. I suppose because of her age (39), the possibility of placenta previa, and all the hopes weighing on this birth, the doctors thought it best to hospitalize her.
This may be Japan’s last hope for a male heir. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has been under pressure to push for the legislation that would allow a female to take the thrown. While this has been hotly debated, a poll has shown that the Japanese people are wavering on the idea. A poll taken recently showed that 63% of the people backed this idea, but that is down from 81% last year. I am assuming that some of them are counting on this new baby being a boy.