Princess Kiko bears heir to Chrysanthemum Throne

In what will certainly be celebrated by the traditional, male-dominance conservatives, Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth to the first imperial male heir in more than four decades.

The heir, whose name is still not known, is third in line to the throne after his uncle Crown Prince Naruhito and his father Prince Akishino.

The birth will like put off talks on possible female succession to the world's oldest dynasty that takes back historically more than 1,500 years, and more than 2,500 years according to legend.


A baby holds a paper fan reading 'Celebration' as well-wishers gather in celebration of the birth of a baby boy to Japan's Princess Kiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo September 6, 2006. Japanese politicians hope the birth of the new male heir will spark a baby boom in a country plagued by slow demographic growth. REUTERS/Issei Kato via Yahoo News.