Crown Prince Naruhito, who turned 42 on Saturday, said he was excited about becoming a father and promised to "be actively involved" in bringing up his daughter, Princess Aiko.
"The birth of a new life is indeed something mystical and entails great emotions," he told a news conference at the Togu Palace ahead of his birthday. He said he was truly appreciative of Crown Princess Masako and told her, "Well done, my dear" after the birth of their daughter, whose name means "love child."
The Crown Princess gave birth to Princess Aiko, the couple's first child, on Dec. 1, some 8 1/2 years after their marriage in June 1993.