Japan's Princess Kiko 'pregnant'

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Doctor Oak

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4688056.stm
Japan's Princess Kiko is reportedly pregnant, raising the possibility that the royal family could produce its first male heir in 40 years.

Princess Kiko, the 39-year-old wife of Emperor Akihito's second son, is due to give birth in the autumn, Kyodo news said, quoting the Imperial Household.

No boy has been born into the imperial family since 1965.

The current succession crisis has led the government to consider allowing a woman to succeed the throne.

Crown Prince Naruhito, first in line to the throne after his father Akihito, has just one daughter with his wife, Crown Princess Masako.

Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino currently have two daughters.

Public support

The news of the pregnancy prompted applause at a parliamentary committee meeting attended by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday.

But Mr Koizumi nevertheless urged the debate on allowing women to succeed the Chrysanthemum Throne to continue.

He wants to present parliament with suggested revisions to the 1947 Imperial Household law by June.

"If we wait, it is uncertain that a boy may or may not be born," he told lawmakers, according to the Associated Press.

"To ensure the stable continuity of Japan's imperial family, we cannot put the issue off any longer," he continued. "It is desirable that parliamentary debate is carried out in a calm, careful manner at the earliest opportunity."

Crown Princess Masako, 42, has been under intense pressure to bear a male heir, and makes few public appearances due to stress that many blame on the succession issue.

If the law were changed, it would put her four-year-old daughter Aiko in line to the throne.

Mr Koizumi said this was another reason not to delay any change.

"Princess Aiko is coming to the age when she will start going to school. It would make great difference for her if her education is given with an assumption she would not become a reigning empress or if she realises she must become empress someday," he said.

Conservatives, both among the imperial household and in parliament, have questioned the plan.

Last week, Foreign Minister Taro Aso called for more debate before the bill is presented to the legislature.

The public, however, is more supportive, although a poll published on Monday suggested 63% backed changing the law, down from 81% a year ago.
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I for one hope that she has a girl. 'Cause seriously, the 'only males can ascend' thing is stupid and out-dated. I knew the Japanese culture towards women was still quite backwards but didn't realise it was this bad. I mean, there have been English Queens sans Kings for centuries - long before the Feminist Movement.

Japan may be highly sentimental over it's 'honourable imperial past' but sentimentality can block change - change that is obviously for the better.

Opinions?
 
Geez- just let the girls have at it for once. xD;
 
What's the point of having some fake monarchy that can't even do anything? The whole system of the empire is a remnant of Japan's imperialist past and should be left behind.
 
Are you going to make the UK abandon it's monarch? You'll have the entire populace of the nation ready to lynch you. Anyway, regardless of what happens, they should have a law ready just in case it does happen someday.
 
The UK is fine with female monarchs. Our prejudice is with Catholics. :rolleyes:

Actually, the more successful and long-reigning Russian Tsars in the 18th Century were women...

Anyway, you can't just make people give up a tradition. I don't know about Japan, but the British monarchy brings in tourists and thus helps the economy.
 
Considering the monarchy has no power, I don't see why they can't have an empress. But, tradition and culture are hard to change. I hope it's a girl as well. Sometimes change must be the last resort.
 
I don't see why they can't have empresses.You shouldn't be judged on being a good leader or whatever just by your gender.I think it's kind of stupid what they're doing.
 
Historically there were a few empresses.

Ironically, it is Western influence that eliminated women from the succession line.
 
Sceptile726 said:
Are you going to make the UK abandon it's monarch? You'll have the entire populace of the nation ready to lynch you. Anyway, regardless of what happens, they should have a law ready just in case it does happen someday.
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I live in the UK, and honestly couldn't give a fuck about these non elected spongers. They do absoloutely nothing to help anyone, they have no use other than as a giant tourist attraction, and hold no real power in decision making in times of international crisis or whatever may happen. Really, monarchies are a thing of the past and should be left there.
 
It's called tradition. In both cases, you will find it hard to convince people to get rid of it without bloodshed.

And as I said, the tourism helps the economy.
 
Zhen Lin said:
Ironically, it is Western influence that eliminated women from the succession line.
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This interests me. Source?
 
Article 2 of the Meiji Consitution:
皇位ハ皇室典範ノ定ムル所ニ依リ皇男子孫之ヲ繼承ス
The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by Imperial male descendants, according to the provisions of the Imperial House Law.
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Before that - out of over a hundred monarchs, eight were female and monarchs in their own right, though they abdicated once there was a suitable male heir.

The current constitution makes no such sexist ruling, however, the Imperial Household Law does. Then again, perhaps the succession crisis wouldn't have been as bad if the ōke were maintained. (Abolished by the Occupational Authorities.)
 
I hope it's a girl too, however I don't like the fact they seem to be blaming her for having female heirs.
 
Explodus said:
I live in the UK, and honestly couldn't give a fuck about these non elected spongers. They do absoloutely nothing to help anyone, they have no use other than as a giant tourist attraction, and hold no real power in decision making in times of international crisis or whatever may happen. Really, monarchies are a thing of the past and should be left there.
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Personally I think I would agree there I honestly hardly see the point in the monarchy in my opinion it's a very dated practice and especially as they hardly have any important duties (apart from spending as much tax money as you can) but there are people out there that like the idea of there being a monarchy because of the romantic side of it ....yuk.

Anyway I hope the Japanese baby is a girl.
 
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