The birth of a girl to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess has led major bookstores in Tokyo to promote popular reading material relating to the Imperial family as well as books related to the new mother.
The Sanseido outlet in Kanda -- Tokyo's premier bookstore district -- has set up a section about the Imperial family in front of its elevators on the ground floor under the banner, "Congratulations on the birth of the new princess!"
On display are history books on emperors as well as more up-to-date tomes featuring the first meeting between the Crown Prince and Princess and their favorite restaurants.
Also included are children's books the Crown Princess is said to have enjoyed as a child.
"I know it's being reported all over the news, but I want to find out more for myself," a woman said in explaining her interest in books on the Imperial family.
Tetsuya Todo, a sales representative at Sanseido, said sales of books on the Imperial family have not been noticeably brisk, but many people are stopping to look around.
According to Todo, Sanseido plans to publish a picture collection on the Imperial birth next week. "Things are just starting," he said.
Yaesu Book Center in Tokyo's Chuo Ward has set up a similar book section on the sixth floor of its main store near Tokyo Station.
On display are books the Crown Prince and Crown Princess read in their youth as well as a book translated by the Empress.
