Princess Kiko is Pregnant for the 3rd time

[mandyy]

Japan baby could end royal reform
Conservatives within Japan's hidebound imperial household must be rejoicing at what must seem a miracle pregnancy.
News that Princess Kiko, the 39-year-old wife of the emperor's second son, is expecting a child in the autumn may save them from their worst fear - the prospect of women ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne.
For months Japan has witnessed a mounting debate over whether the Imperial Household Law - which allows only male heirs - should be amended.
With no male heir born into the imperial family since 1965, supporters of change looked to have nearly won the argument. But Princess Kiko's pregnancy has at least stalled the process, and even - if she gives birth to a boy - ended it for some time.........................
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4693950.stm

FOCUS: Possibility of male heir to throne sparks new round of debate
The possibility that Japan's imperial family could have a male heir for the first time in more than 40 years has sparked further debate on whether to allow females to ascend the throne, leaving the whole issue up in the air......................
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060214/kyodo/d8fp6gko0.html

[mandyy]

This week's Point De Vue has a 2 page coverage on Princess Kiko's pregnancy.

Photo from pointdevue.fr

[mandyy]

A Pregnant Pause
A princess' surprise news spurs a ceasefire in the battle over Japan's Imperial succession
Japan seems to have averted the prospect of revolutionary change. In January 2005, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi appointed a panel to develop suggestions for warding off a looming succession crisis in the imperial family...............
http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazi...moid=rss_world

[Daniela]

Well, I wish them a healthy child. And I wish them a baby girl.
Why?
Because I have a feeling that they made this baby, just because they don't want to be left out.
I kind of like this couple, but the timing of this pregnancy is so weird.

Daniela

[Lakshmi]

Is the baby's due date known, at least in what month it will be born? European royal families usually announce the pregnancies in about 3rd month. It looks that JRF announced pregnancy earlier.

[mandyy]

Originally Posted by Lakshmi

Is the baby's due date known, at least in what month it will be born? European royal families usually announce the pregnancies in about 3rd month. It looks that JRF announced pregnancy earlier.

The baby is due in late September or early October

[puresnow]

Thank you for the pictures.

[Namie]

Equal rights for the women aside, we are talking about the throne here. It should not be subject to the same forces of change that came from calls for equal rights.

[Emily]

Originally Posted by Namie

Equal rights for the women aside, we are talking about the throne here. It should not be subject to the same forces of change that came from calls for equal rights.

So, it sounds like you are supporting the continuation of male emperors. Is that so? If it is, I strongly disagree. There have been female emperors in the past, so it is not like this "tradition" is inviolate. In addition, I would think Aiko is more qualified to be an empress giving her upbringing than any male shirt-tail relatives, without Aiko's upbringing, who are brought in just because they are male. There are also many other reasons I can think of. It is time for a change or the institution will - if it hasn't already - lose it's credibility. I think it is ridiculous to perpetuate the idea that only one gender is qualified to inhabit any top job.

[CrownPrinceLorenzo]

Originally Posted by Namie

Equal rights for the women aside, we are talking about the throne here. It should not be subject to the same forces of change that came from calls for equal rights.

You're kidding right? Feudal Japan was Semi-Salic law, and they had 8 reigning Empresses in the past! Two of which reigned twice after admonishing a worthless MALE emperor.

[MoonlightRhapsody]

Again, Asian ideology is very different from Western ideology. While it's fine to disagree with it, it still needs to be respected and tolerated. What they do with their own is their business. It's not right to say something is wrong because it is wrong from the person's point of view. One person's right is another's wrong.

[CrownPrinceLorenzo]

Actually, no, oppressive traditions do not need to be tolerated or respected.

Also, I'm Asian, and tradition and religion gets in the way of progress.

Many Asian countries already had their fair share of female head of state and female head of government.

Japan must realize they're wrong. They need to follow other Asian countries that allow females to be head of states. Philippines has two female head of state and head of government. Sri Lanka had female Prime Ministers, etc.

And the fact that Japan has had female Emperors in the past shows that the country is going backwards when it comes to their society.

[mandyy]

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/365491-post75.html

[CrownPrinceLorenzo]

Originally Posted by mandyy

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/365491-post75.html

Still Mandyy, the female Emperors have a lot power, even if they're in power for emergency measures. And once they abdicate in favor of a male heir, they become cloistered rulers and becomes more influencial. And a few of the female Emperors that abdicated admonished male Emperors that they did not see fit to rule. That was still a lot more power than what the current Imperial daughters have.

Also, Empress Gemmei abdicated in favor of her daughter, Empress Gensho.

Empress Koken abdicated in favor of her second cousin Emperor Junin, but she admonished him six years later and reclaimed the throne as Empress Shotoku.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by CrownPrinceLorenzo

Japan must realize they're wrong. They need to follow other Asian countries...

It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, the Japanese will make decisions for Japan in their own way and in their own time. I think it unlikely that the Japanese will look to Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka or Presidents of the Philippines for inspiration when considering changes to the Imperial Succession Laws.
As it stands the Japanese succession is based on exactly the same principles as the succession in Liechtenstein. Their dynasty, their rules.

[CrownPrinceLorenzo]

Yeah, doesn't mean I have to respect it or tolerate it.

We might as well keep slaves with that attitude.

[mandyy]

Princess' pregnancy subdues the sleaze
Princess Kiko's pregnancy was the big story for Japan's wild weeklies in the week from Feb. 13 to 17.....................
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai...dm028000c.html

[fanletizia]

Prince Akishino's wife, Princess Kiko, is three months pregnant and is expected to give birth in late September, Imperial Household Agency announced officially 22 February. The Princess does not want to know the sex of the baby.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.ph...4-043929-5449r

[Danielane]

Originally Posted by fanletizia

Prince Akishino's wife, Princess Kiko, is three months pregnant and is expected to give birth in late September, Imperial Household Agency announced officially 22 February. The Princess does not want to know the sex of the baby.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.ph...4-043929-5449r

I'm highly doubtful about this. She MUST, giving the situation, know the sex of the baby.

[Elspeth]

That doesn't work. If she's three months pregnant now, she'll be giving birth before the end of September.