The birth of the Emperor: “When will he be born?” “We won’t make the evening edition!” — a tense February 23
On February 23, 66 years ago, Crown Prince Hiro (the current Emperor) let out a strong first cry, marking the birth of the heir to the throne, who would later become the 126th Emperor. Soon after her marriage, Empress Michiko became pregnant and her labor finally began. But, as is often the case with childbirth, things didn’t proceed so easily. This is an episode about Empress Michiko’s fulfillment of her role in delivering the Crown Prince and the adorable newborn Hiro.
“What’s going on? Didn’t they just announce yesterday that the birth hadn’t happened yet?”
“When exactly will the baby be born—today or tomorrow?”
That day, reporters swarmed around the desk of Hashimoto, Director of General Affairs at the Imperial Household Agency, bombarding him with questions in a chaotic scene.
No wonder—the expected due date was near, and Empress Michiko was about to begin preparations for childbirth. At a press conference on February 22, Dr. Takashi Kobayashi, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Tokyo and the Empress’s attending physician, stated:
“I don’t think the birth will happen within the next few days.”
Reporters from newspapers and TV companies breathed a sigh of relief and returned home in small groups, preparing for the hard work ahead.
The baby’s heartbeat caught on microphone
However, that evening, Empress Michiko’s labor began. At 11 p.m., Professor Kobayashi was called by phone, examined her, and decided on her admission to the Imperial Household Agency Hospital.
Empress Michiko descended from her temporary residence bedroom to the ground floor, exchanged greetings with the seeing-off Crown Prince (now the Emperor Emeritus) at the entrance, and entered the car to leave the temporary residence. The time was 1:35 a.m. The press, who had been at ease, were nowhere to be seen—only a single photographer fired a flash. The car carrying Empress Michiko quietly drove through the sleeping city and safely arrived at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital. This was the first birth at a hospital in the Imperial Family.
Thus, the press, caught by surprise, had been anxiously anticipating the moment of birth.
However, the labor lasted much longer than expected. Even 15 hours after Empress Michiko’s admission, contractions appeared only occasionally, showing no signs of imminent delivery. In the delivery room, the team assisting her included staff from the Imperial Household Agency, the hospital, the University of Tokyo’s obstetrics and pediatrics departments, and midwives, all reaching the peak of tension.
Dr. Hisashi Sato, who was by her side, humorously describes the scene in his book Crown Prince Hiro: Raising Empress Michiko’s Child:
“Even the tiny microphone that clung closely to Her Highness’s body seemed like a living thing, doing its important duty diligently.”
The baby’s heartbeat, captured by the microphone, was sent to another room where the attending aides listened in, holding their breath.
Outside the Imperial Household Agency Hospital, reporters who had missed the timing of her admission were anxiously waiting.
“Still not born?”
“Ah—there’s no way this will make the evening edition!”
Voices resembling screams began to rise. Around that time, perhaps sensing it was time to appear to the world, Prince Shingu finally made his entrance: Empress Michiko’s labor intensified into severe pain, and at 4:15 p.m., the newborn’s strong first cry echoed throughout the delivery room. Some reporters had even been preparing headlines such as “Born with the Sunrise” in anticipation of a prolonged birth, but they were no match for the power of nature.
The delivery room was soon filled with cheers of celebration and relief. Prince Shingu was a healthy baby, weighing 2,500 grams and measuring 47 cm in length.
Milk’s whiteness overflowing
Upon receiving the news of the safe birth, the Crown Prince immediately rushed to the hospital. Carrying Empress Michiko’s favorite flowers—Erica, Silver-leaf Acacia, and Spiraea—in his arms, he also presented a cute teddy bear, saying, “This is a reward,” in appreciation of her efforts.
On the fifth day after the birth, Empress Michiko breastfed directly. Her milk was abundant, allowing Prince Shingu to drink his fill. His growth progressed smoothly. Empress Michiko abolished the use of wet nurses, becoming the first in the Imperial Family to personally breastfeed her child.
As a new father, the Crown Prince visited the hospital every day until Empress Michiko was discharged. He watched the breastfeeding, held Prince Shingu, and recorded everything on an 8mm video, keeping busy in the joy of his new role.
Shortly after Prince Shingu’s birth, Empress Michiko expressed the emotions of breastfeeding in a poem:
Hiro’s Birth
Milk’s whiteness overflowing,
Life in the child’s crimson lips.
Empress Michiko was discharged on March 12, a calm and warm day. Accompanied by all the staff, she returned to the temporary residence smiling, holding Prince Shingu. From then on, the family of three would live together and raise their child—a first in the Imperial Family for parents to personally nurture their child.
Sweat shone on the foreheads of the photographers crowding in front of the hospital. For the citizens who wished to see Prince Shingu and for the hardworking photographers, Empress Michiko kindly kept the car window open for a while, making it easier for them to take photos.
References: Empress Michiko’s Poetry Collection: Seoto (Daito Publishing), Crown Prince Hiro: Raising Empress Michiko’s Child by Hisashi Sato (Banchō Shobo), Crown Prince Hiro: Ten Years of Strong, Robust Upbringing by Minoru Hamao (PHP Institute)
Interview and text by： Kaori Takagi PHOTO： Kyodo News