IVF may rescue monarchy in Japan

The Crown Princess Masako of Japan is reported to be expecting the world's first 'test tube emperor'. The princess is thought to have secretly undergone fertility treatment last month after failing to conceive since her marriage to the Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993. Concerns had been growing that the princess would not produce an heir, which raised the possibility of extinction of the Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest monarchy.

Eighteen months ago, the princess miscarried a pregnancy after it had been reported that she had fertility treatment. Now, six or seven weeks pregnant, Japanese doctors and journalists have pointed to circumstantial evidence that the princess underwent IVF (in vitro fertilisation). One of Japan's leading fertility experts, Dr Osamu Tsutsumi, was appointed as her personal doctor about six weeks before the pregnancy was announced.

It has not been suggested that the royal couple have chosen the sex of their child, but in Japan, only a male can succeed to the imperial throne. If Princess Masako gives birth to a boy, he will become the 127th emperor of the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The news of the pregnancy gave an immediate boost to the slumping Tokyo stock markets as shares in companies selling baby goods rose. Politicians spoke of hope for an 'economically efficient baby boom'. Although the suspicions will never be confirmed by the Japanese royal courtiers, this is believed to be a 'remarkable development' for one of Japan's most closed and traditional monarchies, in a country known for its conservatism towards fertility and reproduction.