It's a GIRL! Japan's Crown Princess Gives Birth

Associated Press ^ | Saturday December 1 2:58 AM ET | By GARY SCHAEFER, Associated Press Writer

[RepubMommy]

Can't we simply be happy for these guys? They have wanted a baby for so many years...It is being broadcast all over the Japanese airways-- Dear Masako. Bravo and best wishes

I'll be happy for them. Having just given birth to my 2nd little girl 5 weeks ago, I can relate to their joy. Good for them.

[The_Expatriate]

Not being a royalist myself, of course, it didn't really matter to me whether the Princess had a boy or girl, but I'm pleased that it's a girl. As benningtonconservative said in post #17, the postwar law requiring a male on the imperial throne could very well be changed as a result. A good thing, in my opinion, not the least because it would tick off some of the right-wing elements here who might not find it as manly to scream out "For Empress and Country" all day long on their loudspeaker trucks. :-)

[heleny]

I guess it wasn't for lack of trying. Considering that she's 41, this will probably be her only child.

The news said she is 37 years old, so she may have time to try having more children.

[Rubber Duckie]

You are correct. It is the hubby who is 41. The special edition of the paper yesterday showed a baby picture dated 1960 and I just assumed it was the mama because the baby was so cute. Having had three daughters myself, I'm a bit partial to girls. Boys arguably can be cute too, but they are pretty well over it by age 8 or 9-- girls can stay cute even until adulthood.

[The_Expatriate]

...the ceremonial fanfare has been known to give the economy here short-term boosts in the past. It could certainly use one now.

RD, just saw this in the news a few minutes ago. I still think it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to be proven wrong!

Royal baby may boost economy by Y14 trillion