Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth today to a baby boy, the first imperial male heir to be born in more than four decades and the answer to the prayers of conservatives keen to keep women off the ancient throne.
The birth will scuttle for now a plan to let women ascend the throne, an idea opposed by traditionalists eager to preserve a practice they say stretches back more than 2,000 years.
That would disappoint many ordinary Japanese, who favour changing the succession to give women equal rights to the throne.
"It's good that a boy was born so that the royal family could keep its male lineage. I'm happy that Japan's tradition has been maintained," said Tadayuki Aman, a 77-year-old doctor.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had planned to revise the law to let women ascend the throne but Kiko's pregnancy put on hold that proposal, which would have cleared the way for Aiko to become Japan's first reigning empress since the 18th century.
Surveys have shown that most Japanese favour giving women equal rights to the throne. Reform looks all but certain to stall now, although many said the birth should not stop change.
"Other countries around the world have female monarchs. Japan should also change with the times," said Masashi Yamaguchi, a 25-year-old IT engineer.
What's his name?
Ordinary Japanese couples find it hard enough to choose a name for a baby -- there are 2,928 permitted Chinese characters that can stand alone or be combined with others for shades of meaning.
For Prince Akishino, who may find himself choosing a name for a future emperor, the task will likely be even harder and must be completed within a week.
His wife, Princess Kiko, gave birth to a baby boy by a Caesarean operation today and the new baby will be the first male born into the imperial household in more than 40 years. Only males are allowed to succeed to the throne under current law.
Since Akishino is a second son rather than a direct heir to the Chrysanthemum throne he is permitted to name his own children rather than leaving the process up to his father, Emperor Akihito.
The couple's two older daughters -- Princesses Mako and Kako -- were given two-syllable names to echo their mother's monicker.
Emperors' names traditionally end with the character "hito," meaning the highest moral standard, while names for royal women end in "ko", meaning noblewoman.
Names ending in "hito" are highly unusual for commoners and while "ko" was once a popular name ending for girls, it is increasingly rare for new babies.
Akishino's given name is Fumihito, his elder brother is Crown Prince Naruhito and their grandfather was the wartime Emperor Hirohito.
In a simple naming ceremony held seven days after the birth of Kako, Akishino laid a wooden box on the baby's pillow, containing her name written on a piece of "washi" handmade paper.
Whatever name finds its way into the wooden box next week could influence a generation of Japanese children.
When Naruhito was born in 1960 he was also given the childhood title Prince Hiro. That year, four names using the character for "hiro" made it on to the top 10 list of boys' names, with "Hiroshi" the most popular.
Following the birth of Naruhito's only daughter Princess Aiko in 2001, the character "ai" -- meaning love -- became a popular choice for girls' names.
Hey, kids, you know what time it is? It’s time to play “I.D. the Cleavage!”
The first male heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne in four decades was named Hisahito — meaning “virtuous, calm and everlasting,” — today, the Imperial Household Agency announced.
So, I was reading this article my friend Susan sent me and thought it'd be funny to share. I know many of you out there are actually Orlando haters, but just bear with it:
Did you know karaoke began in Kobe?
For Prince Akishino, who may find himself choosing a name for a future emperor, the task will likely be even harder and must be completed within a week.
Tire Steal - My Favorite!
Cheering
Folk Dancing
Did you know?
Sports Day is right around the corner and school (for me) starts tomorrow. Are y'all ready? B/c I'm not! Where did this Summer break go? Always too quick! Anyways, I am at my new place Katahigashi JHS with only 194 students which is a HUGE change from my last schools with close to 800 students. But here - The students seem cool, the school itself is okay, and the teachers are nice - can't ask for more than that! :)
My new Teacher's room.
Yeah!!!
What is Sports Day?
The Nishikawa-tans were in full Matsuri (Festival) mode yesterday as well as tonight. Surprise Surprise - I found out I live like TWO BLOCKS away from "Main Street" Nishikawa, so I got full view of what all my town Matsuri had to offer! Yesterday was the Odori (dancing) event, so people of all ages lined up in the streets to dance the night away. It was quite cute since all the kids decked out in their club outfits (wearing baseball or karate uniforms) and the local businesses sponsered strangely unique floats.
The fourth production in the popular Noh Theater Shakespeare series produced by the Ryutopia Theater Department was one of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies, Othello (Directed by Yoshihiro Kurita). The company’s third production, The Winter’s Tale, was well received at an international Shakespeare festival held in Romania in April of 2006, earning remarks such as “most memorable performance.”
This last Tuesday, Natasha, Ros, and I attended the opening Noh play for Ryutopia's William Shakespeare- Othello. We had no idea what to expect, but we did know one of the English college Students we spoke too earlier in the year on English Day was in the performance.
Niigata's Ryutopia Noh Theater
The Cast 
