Prince and Princess Akishino have a son: Prince Hisahito

[mandyy]

#1: Japanese media crowd as they report on the birth of Japanese Princess Kiko's baby in front of the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on Wednesday September 6, 2006.
#2: Journalists pack in front of a Tokyo's hospital, background, where Princess Kiko has been hospitalized early Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006 before the princess gives birth.
#3:Journalists pack in front of a Tokyo's hospital where Princess Kiko has been hospitalized early Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006 before the princess gives birth.


source: AP

[mandyy]

Originally Posted by Laviollette

I have seen two different weights for the baby in print. One is 7 1/2 pounds and the other is 5 pounds 10 ounces. I guess one of them is right.

The baby weights 2558 grams so therefore it weights 5 pounds 6 ouncs.

[monica17]

Originally Posted by kimebear

The baby is only a couple of hours old and the moves to show his parents more prominently has already begun as evidenced by the last line of the article on the royal family expenditures:

"The couple's activities are expected to increase in the future, the officials said."

I noticed that, too. I just want to be happy for now and celebrate with Japan.

So no special bath or personal appellation for the new prince. Long live ___ hito!

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by kimebear

The baby is only a couple of hours old and the moves to show his parents more prominently has already begun as evidenced by the last line of the article on the royal family expenditures:

"The couple's activities are expected to increase in the future, the officials said."

And so it begins.

Yes, I am happy that Kiko delivered a healthy baby...but the IHA moves have already begun.

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

I am also a supporter of change and equality, but like everyone else must accept what is the status quo. The one thing I haven't seen addressed and find most deserving of attention is the sexism not in the succession laws but that which is directed to the royal women. If the IHA, Imperial Family, et.al, have treated Masako with scorn and praise Kiko for what she has done, they show not only sexism but ignorance as well. Japanese technology in all areas, including biogenetics is at least as advanced as the rest of the developed world. So they must know that it is the male partner that determines the gender of offspring with the "XX" or "XY" chromosomes. Therefore, scorn or praise, if either should be given, should be directed at Naruhito and Akishino. I also have felt that this has all been too convenient (read staged/orchestrated) and Akishino should not receive praise just because he "provided" a sample that was separated in some lab somewhere in Japan.

All that being said, I also think it would be poetic justice if Naruhito and Masako returned from their "vacation" with a #3 of their own to introduce to the world in 2007.

Mapper

[foiegrass]

Yay, its a boy! Finally, the succession is secured. Aiko would be better off as a commoner. Leading a better life marrying OUT of the imperial family

[pepperann]

Congratulations on the great news of the safe arrival of a healthy baby!! ^_^

[lunormandie22]

Although I am happy that it was a healthy baby boy, for some reasons I am a little sad that it wasn't a girl. Japan royals has been know for being ultra conservative and suppressive and I believe that a few Asia countries still hold the belief that women are second class citizens.
It makes me feel grateful that I am an American woman and here in the States women are treated a lot better. Switzerland had changed their rules so that a woman can become queen and rule. Japan is so far advanced in technology but so far behind in equal rights
I still don't know why an educated woman like princess Masako who had so much going for her life decided to be in an environment where she is obviously not happy and under so much distress???

[kartheina]

Congratulations to Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko and the rest of the Royal Family on the birth of the baby boy. And, I guess, congratulations also to the IHA for finally getting what they wanted.

As for the Crown Prince and his family... I'm sure that they've been prepared for this event as the birth of a nephew was somehow predicatable. Especially at the familial level, I am pretty sure that they are happy.

After all these, I just hope that pressures on Princess Masako will already ease and may she recover completely from stress. Also, I hope that the IHA and the public will be kind to her especially as I think of the concepts of "honor" vis-a-vis "shame" in the context of the Japanese value system.

Anyway, going back to the birth... regardless of its context, it's always a good cause for celebration! My warmest congratulations to Japan and its people!

[Sister Morphine]

Originally Posted by lunormandie22

Although I am happy that it was a healthy baby boy, for some reasons I am a little sad that it wasn't a girl. Japan royals has been know for being ultra conservative and suppressive and I believe that a few Asia countries still hold the belief that women are second class citizens.
It makes me feel grateful that I am an American woman and here in the States women are treated a lot better. Switzerland had changed their rules so that a woman can become queen and rule. Japan is so far advanced in technology but so far behind in equal rights
I still don't know why an educated woman like princess Masako who had so much going for her life decided to be in an environment where she is obviously not happy and under so much distress???

Switzerland? Don't you mean Sweden?

[tricia]

Well, the IHA got what they wanted...

[mayu12]

Originally Posted by foiegrass

Yay, its a boy! Finally, the succession is secured. Aiko would be better off as a commoner. Leading a better life marrying OUT of the imperial family

amen.

how old is masako? is it still possible for her to conceive a child?

[Emily]

kimebear, zonk, elspeth, lunormandie22 and others -- I share many of the sentiments you expressed. I am relieved the baby is here and mom and babe are healthy. But as our enlightening discussion progressed over the months and I learned about the IHA, the Imperial Family and their restricted lifestyle, the Japanese culture I wished a girl would be born to force the issue of an Empress reigning and jilt the Japanese culture out of clinging to an outdated past. At the same time, is it really the best thing for Aiko? She is certain to be a very smart woman given the parents she has and why should she have to live in such a restricted environment with very little real power? Even if the government were to change succession laws, it would have to change the structure of the IHA (IMO) to effect any real change in Aiko's life.

For me this is a day of mixed feelings. I hope Masako takes some sense of satisfaction in this turn of events, even though I believe she, like the others, has known all along it would be a boy. And to all those who have participated in the great discussions over the past nine months -- thanks. I have learned alot and it has been most interesting.

[Sister Morphine]

Originally Posted by mayu12

amen.

how old is masako? is it still possible for her to conceive a child?

She was married 8 years before she had her current child and she had a miscarriage before that.


She might not be physically able to, or else they would have had more children by now.

[KathyMoore]

Wow! That's great news! :)

It just occured to me that this boy could be emperor well
after the year 2100.(he will "only" be 94 by then... and I
would not be surprised that the average lifespan will be
125 by then)

So let me get this straight: they baby is thrid in line,
after his father and his uncle(the CP), is this correct?
This means he won't become the emperor for another
50 or 60 years....

[Emily]

Masako is 42 and will be 43 in December. There is some concern that the psychiatric meds she is on might make it inadvisable to be pregnant.

[BeccaLynn07]

Originally Posted by Zonk1189

And so it begins.

Yes, I am happy that Kiko delivered a healthy baby...but the IHA moves have already begun.

Agreed.

I'm glad that she and the baby are well, but I, too, am a little saddened the baby was not a girl. Congrats to the family and to Japan.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Sister Morphine

She was married 8 years before she had her current child and she had a miscarriage before that.


She might not be physically able to, or else they would have had more children by now.

Masako is 42 and in addition to her pregnancy that produced Aiko..she had a miscarriage. Who knows...stranger things have happened..she might get pregnant but I am sure it will depend on her psyche.

And yes, perhaps this is a blessing for little Aiko. She can marry, leave the imperial family and have a normal life. From all reports, her aunt seems to be happy...although having some minor adjustment issues.

[sara1981]

Japan princess gives birth to boy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5316266.stm

Japan's Princess Kiko gives birth to boy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060906/...ial_succession

[Juan]

At 8:27am,local time, Princess Kiko gave birth to a son.