"It's a boy!" The news spread like wildfire on red-letter Sept. 6 with the birth of Prince Hisahito, the first male born into the Imperial family in 41 years.
Although blissfully unaware of what responsibilities may lie ahead, Prince Hisahito is third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, after Crown Prince Naruhito and the baby's father, Prince Akishino.
Over the past few decades, only girls have been born into the Imperial family. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako had Princess Aiko, while Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko had Princesses Mako and Kako.