Princess' pregnancy could impact revision of imperial law

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Tokyo (dpa) - The Imperial Household Agency announced Tuesday that Princess Kiko, the wife of the Japanese emperor's second son, shows signs of pregnancy and is expecting her third child in autumn.

Japanese media reported hours before the official announcement that Princess Kiko is into her sixth week of pregnancy.

Prince Akishino, younger brother of Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife have two daughters, 14-year-old Princess Mako and 11-year-old Princess Kako.

The announcement of 39-year-old Princess Kiko's pregnancy came as talks are being held on whether to revise the 1947 Imperial Household Law to allow female successors ascend the throne.

The revision would allow the 4-year-old daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako to become the next-in-line after the crown prince.

Without the revision, the line of ascension would be Crown Prince Naruhito, 45, Prince Akishino, 40, and then any future male heirs.

Many politicians and academics have opposed the revision since the government's advisory panel made the proposal to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in November.

Those in favour of maintaining a male line of succession even countered with a proposal to revive polygamy.

Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan advised Koizumi last Thursday not to submit a bill allowing female ascension.

As many see little chance of Crown Princess Masako, 42, bearing another child due to her stress-induced mental illness, Japanese weekly magazines have speculated on a possible divorce, which would pave the way for Prince Naruhito to re-marry and possibly then sire a male child.

Koizumi said he intends presenting the bill by the end of the current Diet session in June and vowed to push the revision of the law, according to Kyodo News Agency.

"I think it is anything but too early to enact the bill during the current session," Koizumi was quoted as saying. "I think we should allow females and their descendants to reign, for the sake of the imperial system, which is Japan's symbol, for a stable imperial succession."

Koizumi stressed the importance of deciding whether to revise the law as early as possible so that Princess Aiko can receive appropriate education with or without the prospect of becoming the symbol of Japan.

Japan's monarchy is believed to have continued for more than 2,000 years through male heirs, but the imperial family has not produced a male heir since 1965. The father-to-be Prince Akishino was the last male born to the imperial family.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko both referred to a stork in poems at the annual New Year's poetry reading in January.

News of Princess Kiko's pregnancy prompted an increased in baby goods' shares on the Tokyo stock market.

Amid the day's bullish move, shares of a top maker of strollers and child seats Combi soared 10.13 per cent, up 79 yen, from the previous day's closing.

Sanrio, character goods maker, saw a rise of its stock price from 210 yen to 2,480 yen.