Dateline: 05/15/01
Japan's Crown Princess is pregnant. The possibility of her pregnancy was reported last month. On May 15th (Japan Time), Kunai-cho (the Imperial Household Agency) officially announced that Crown Princess Masako is three months pregnant. She is expecting her baby in late November or early December. Crown Princess Masako and Prince Naruhito have been married for 8 years since June 9th, 1993, and this baby is going to be the couple's first child. Princess Masako suffered a miscarriage in December, 1999. It's reported that she is currently in good condition. We hope that Princess Masako will remain in good health.
If the royal baby is male, he would be second in line to the throne after his father, Crown Prince Naruhito. If the baby is female, the Imperial House Law, which bans a female from inheriting the throne, might be changed. There has been a move to review the law.
Because of the princess's pregnancy, it is speculated that a baby boom might come in Japan. Many businesses related to baby products are anticipating an increase in sales.
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