Princess bears male heir to Japan's throne

TOKYO, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The Chrysanthemum Throne acquired a male heir Wednesday when Princess Kiko, wife of the younger son of Emperor Akihito of Japan, gave birth to a boy.

The Imperial Household Agency said the baby weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces and was delivered by Caesarean section, The New York Times reported.

The newborn becomes the heir presumptive to Crown Prince Naruhito. He and his wife Crown Princess Masako have one daughter, Princess Aiko, while Prince Akashino and his wife Kiko already have two daughters.

The lack of a male heir had led to proposals to change Japan's succession law. But conservatives were adamantly opposed -- not to Princess Aiko succeeding her father but to her children inheriting, breaking the male line of Japanese emperors.

The country has had some ruling empresses, but they were succeeded by male relatives from the imperial family.