Japanese princess gives birth to male heir

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth on Wednesday to a baby boy -- the first male heir to be born into the ancient imperial family in more than four decades.
The birth of a boy, who will be third in line after his uncle and his father, will likely dampen debate on letting women inherit the throne -- an idea opposed by conservatives eager to preserve a tradition they say stretches back more than 2,000 years.An Imperial Household Agency official told reporters Kiko had given birth by a Caesarean operation to the 2,558 gram (5 lb 10 ounce) boy at 8:27 a.m. (2327 GMT).