Japan royal boy born, succession reform to stall

TOKYO, Sep 6 (Reuters) Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth today to a baby boy, the first imperial male heir to be born in more than four decades and the answer to the prayers of conservatives keen to keep women off the ancient throne.

The birth will scuttle for now a plan to let women ascend the throne, an idea opposed by traditionalists eager to preserve a practice they say stretches back more than 2,000 years.

That would disappoint many ordinary Japanese, who favour changing the succession to give women equal rights to the throne.

TV programmes flashed the news that a male heir -- the third in line after his uncle and father -- had been born, although tabloid media had forecast weeks earlier that the baby was a boy.

Newspapers issued extra editions, eagerly snapped up on the street, to announce the arrival of the emperor's first grandson.

Royal fans waving Japanese flags and shouting ''Congratulations'' greeted Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, as the beaming grandparents left a hotel in Sapporo, northern Japan, where they are on an official visit.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, a conservative expected to become Japan's new Prime Minister this month, welcomed the birth. ''It's a refreshing feeling that reminds us of a clear autumn sky,'' he told reporters.

Asked about succession law reform, he added: ''It is important for us to discuss it calmly, carefully and firmly.'' An Imperial Household Agency official told reporters Kiko had given birth by a Caesarean operation to the 2,558 gram (5 lb 10 ounce) boy at 8:27 a.m. (2327 GMT).

He said both Kiko, 39, and the baby were doing well.

No imperial boys had been born since the baby's father, Prince Akishino, in 1965, raising the possibility of a succession crisis.

Crown Prince Naruhito, 46, and Crown Princess Masako, 42 have one child, 4-year-old Princess Aiko.

Ceremonies around the birth include the laying of a tiny sword near the baby's pillow by his father to ward off demons.

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