I do hope however that the reform of the succession to the throne will indeed really continue (as it has been said) and pass soon. I wish that Crown Princess Masako will be able to find some peace of mind, and doesn't get too distressed by this news.
Now that Kiko is pregnant, not only the Japanese royal family is happy...the most happy people should be the IHA! Now that they can wish the baby will be a boy and that they can have a male heir in the future!
But.....i really do hope that the succession law be changed to first born regradless of sex....so we can see a Empress in the future!
Princess Kiko's pregnancy likely to intensify succession debate
Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son Prince Akishino, is pregnant, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday in an announcement almost certain to add a new twist to a national debate over whether to allow females to ascend Japan's imperial throne.
Agency chief Shingo Haketa announced the news at a press conference, saying officially that the princess had ''shown signs of pregnancy.'' According to agency sources, Princess Kiko, who had an ultrasound Tuesday morning, is about six weeks pregnant and is expected to give birth in September or October.
The news comes at a time when the government of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is planning to submit a bill to revise the Imperial House Law amid concerns over a possible succession crisis in the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, given that no male heir has been born into the imperial family since 1965...................... http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstS...storyid=228821
Japanese stocks lower, dollar down vs. yen
................Among gainers were makers of baby goods, which jumped following afternoon news reports that Japan's Princess Kiko is pregnant. Kiko - the wife of Emperor Akihito's second-eldest son - was due to give birth in the fall, Japanese news reports said. Combi Corp., a maker of baby toys and goods, surged 10 percent to 859 yen ($7.22); Pigeon Corp., a maker of baby diapers and foods, rose 5 percent to 1,770 yen ($14.87) and Wakodo Co., a maker of baby milk and skin care goods, climbed almost 10 percent to 4,790 yen ($40.25)..................... http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/2...11850646c.html
i just noticed this now....that Princess Kiko's daugthers are 14 and 11 years old which later this year will become 12 and 15 years old...what a difference between the first and second daughter and the third baby!
On the one side I'm happy about the new baby. But on the other hand I feel sorry for CPss Masako.
If princess Kiko give a birth to a boy she will be this better - a mother of the future emperor (or maybe she will be the future empress? who knows).
But Masako... As a Crown Princess she don't produce a future emperor what she should do! but only a girl. I don't think - I hope that I'm wrong, that she will find some peace of mind, and doesn't get too distressed by this news and this what the future bring (boy or a girl).
I am surprised that they have released this news so quickly. She still has six more weeks to pass until her first trimester ends. The possiblity of miscarriage stills exists during the first trimester. Best wishes to the royal couple and their new baby.
6 weeks is pretty early to announce a pregnancy, at least compared to say the Danish or Spanish royal families with the much anticipated babies of Mary and Letizia. Is it normal for the Imperial Household Agency to announce earlier than Europe? Or was this pregnancy specially announced early?
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Royalty Says Princess Kiko Is Pregnant
TOKYO - Princess Kiko is pregnant, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday, raising the possibility of the first male heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 40 years.
The announcement comes as the government considers a plan to allow women to assume the throne for the first time in two centuries in a bid to avert a succession crisis. Kiko's husband, Prince Akishino, is second in line to the throne.
Agency chief Shingo Haketa said both Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were delighted by the news of Kiko's pregnancy.......................... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060207/...l_succession_2
#1-3,6: ANP-Pedestrians get extra edition of newspapers reporting the pregnancy of Japanese Princess Kiko, wife of the Emperor's second son Prince Akishino at downtown Tokyo, 07 February 2006. The Imperial Household Agency confirmed the pregnancy of Princess Kiko, 39, who has two daughters, throwing a sudden question mark over controversial moves to end male-only succession in the world's oldest monarchy.
#4: AP-Passersby look at a huge video screen flashing Japanese Princess Kiko in a newscast in Osaka, western Japan, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006.
#5: JIJI press
#7: Reuters
#8: Asahi news
#9: TBS news-News reporters gathering in front of the gate to Prince Akishino's residence
While I am happy that Princess Kiko is expecting and I wish her the best in her pregnancy. I do feel for Crown Princess Masako...talk about pressure\ if your sister in law produces a male heir. And what if Kiko has a girl...instead of blaming the Princess of Japan..they should put the blame on the Princes who aren't producing the right chromosomes :)
Congratulations to her!
Although I think that it's foolish that they're delaying in changing the constitution just because this child "could" be a boy.
Congrats to the family. Let's hope this eases the pressure off of the Crown Princess a little bit.
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Princess Kiko is Pregnant for the 3rd time
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