Aiko, Princess Toshi of Japan
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko of Japan (愛子内親王殿下 aiko naishinnō denka, born December 1, 2001), at 2:43 p.m. Titled Princess Toshi (敬宮 toshi no miya), is the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.
The baby was named Princess Aiko in the naming ceremony, which is traditionally held on the seventh day after the baby's birth. Aiko, written with kanji character for "love" and "child", refers to "a person who loves others." The baby will also have a royal title. The princess will be called Toshi-no-miya, or Princess Toshi, while she is young. That means "a person who respects others." This formal title will be dropped if and when the princess marries.
In a break with tradition, the name was chosen by the baby's parents, instead of by the emperor. It is selected from the teaching of the Chinese philosopher Mencius. It reads "A person who loves others will be loved by others, and a person who respects others will always be respected by others."
As no male has been born into the imperial family in 36 years the Japanese public eagerly awaited the birth . All of Japan was overjoyed at the birth of a girl to the Crown couple after eight years of marriage. However, Princess Aiko's birth rekindled a debate over whether to change the law to allow a female to ascend to the throne of the worlds oldest hereditary monarchy.
The Imperial Household of Japan Law of 1947 limits succession to males: since neither of the former Emperor Hirohito's sons have a direct male descendant, some public and parliament members perceive Chrysanthemum throne continuity to be in jeopardy despite a line of succession seven levels deep. This possible threat to the monarchy and a new regard for women's rights led some to call for revision of imperial law to allow succession through females. Crown Princess Masako has experienced a physical and mental breakdown under the intense pressure to produce a male heir. In the event of a son not being born to the Crown couple, the Japanese public is supportive of Aiko becoming Empress.ja:敬宮愛子 pl:Aiko zh:敬宫爱子
