National News Princess Kiko gives birth to son

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Princess Kiko gave birth to the royal family's first male heir in four decades Sept. 6.

Kiko, 39, underwent a Caesarean section at a Tokyo hospital, giving birth to a boy who is third in line to the throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and Kiko's husband, Prince Akishino, 40.

The arrival of a new prince — Emperor Akihito's first grandson — defused a succession crisis in the coming generation of the royal family.

The birth also put the brakes on an emotional debate over whether to change Japan's 1947 imperial law to allow women to inherit the throne.

While eight women have taken the throne, the last in 1762, they served mostly as placeholders until a male could be found, and none passed the crown to their children.

The Japanese government will spend a tax-exempt ¥3.05 million each year in connection with Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko's baby boy, officials said.

The money is for covering the meals, clothing and servants, and the sum for a child becomes three-fold when they grow up, according to the officials. (AP, Kyodo)

紀子さま、男児ご出産

秋篠宮妃紀子さまは6日、入院先の東京の病院で男児を出産された。皇室に男子が誕生したのは41年ぶりとなる。

Shukan ST: Sept. 15, 2006

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