Japan's little prince wins over fans with a smile

TOKYO, Sep 6 (Reuters) Japan's Prince Hisahito has made only a handful of public appearances, but is already winning fans.

The first boy born into Japan's royal family in more than four decades and third in line to the throne, Hisahito celebrated his first birthday today with a low-key visit to his imperial grandparents.

A photo released by the Imperial Household Agency showed Hisahito, dressed in blue overalls and a white shirt, grinning as he grasped a low table.

''He seems to have charisma. He's very handsome, too,'' said 30-year-old florist Kazumi Sugawara.

Hisahito's birth halted debate over whether to change Japan's males-only imperial succession law to allow females to ascend the throne, much to the joy of many conservatives.

Asked by reporters whether the prince has begun talking, his mother, Princess Kiko, replied: ''Yes, little by little,'' Kyodo news agency reported.

He can also walk with support and plays with musical instruments such as xylophones, the agency said.

Hisahito is the only son of the emperor's younger son, Prince Akishino, and is third in line to the throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and Akishino. Naruhito has one daughter aged 5.

Surveys have shown that most Japanese favour letting females ascend the throne.

''Japan is still a male-dominated society and from that point of view, I am hostile (towards the current system),'' said company employee Emi Shinkawa, 37.

Others, though, think the old ways are best.

''There should be male emperors -- that is the way it has been from the past,'' said Hiroki Yamaguchi, 40, who works in tourism.

REUTERS RJ DS1130