Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son, Prince Akishino, is pregnant, raising the possibility that the Imperial family could see its first male birth in 40 years at a time when proposed female succession is being hotly debated.
Princess Kiko, 39, is expected to give birth to her third child in September or October, Imperial Household Agency sources said. Agency chief Shingo Haketa confirmed her pregnancy at a news conference later in the day.
The news of her pregnancy comes as the government is considering revising the Imperial succession law to allow female monarchs.