Emperor, empress meet grandson – and heir

TOKYO – Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko greeted their new grandson for the first time Sunday during a visit to a Tokyo hospital where his mother is recovering from a Caesarean section.

The boy, who is to be officially named on Tuesday in an elaborate imperial rite, is the third child of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko – but their first son. Born Wednesday, he is Japan’s first new prince in four decades and third in line to the throne behind his father and Crown Prince Naruhito.

His birth forestalls a succession crisis for the centuries-old Chrysanthemum Throne, which was in desperate need of a new male heir.

The emperor and the empress, who just returned from an official trip out of town, brought white baby shoes and a bouquet for their grandson and his mother, public broadcaster NHK said.

Both mother and child were in good condition Sunday, according to NHK, which said the prince cries boisterously for milk. The two are expected to stay in the hospital for about a week.