Imperial family members, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and others on Sunday extended congratulations to the Imperial parents and grandparents of a baby girl born Saturday to the Crown Princess -- the first baby in her 8 1/2-year marriage to the prince.
The Crown Prince visited the Crown Princess and their newborn baby Sunday morning at the Hospital of the Imperial Household. In the afternoon, the Emperor and Empress also visited them at the hospital for the first time since the baby's birth.
"The baby looked very healthy, although I could not hear her cry," the Emperor told reporters after visiting the hospital for about 30 minutes.