Japanese Princess Kiko May Deliver Heir Through Cesarean Section

Japanese Princess Kiko may need to undergo a Cesarean operation to deliver Japan's male heir. The baby could be premature, according to Ichiro Kanazawa, head doctor of the Imperial Household agency.

he said the princess had developed an abnormal placement of the placenta, a condition called as placenta previa. "We believe that the delivery will require a Cesarean section operation. It is also highly possible that the delivery will come earlier than expected," Kanazawa said.

However he added that there was no cause for concern, "Placenta previa once was considered to be a serious condition that could have affected the lives of the mother and the child. But modern medicine allows us to deal with it." The princess already has two daughters two daughters aged 11 and 14.

Prince Akishino said he was not worried and had "confidence in the team of doctor's."