TOKYO -- Japan's pregnant Princess ...

TOKYO -- Japan's pregnant Princess Kiko will register a hospital today to prepare for her delivery, amid chance of a favorable result she will produce a long- awaited male heir to the nation's ancient imperial enthrone

The 39-year-old wife of Prince Akishino, who is the secondary son of Emperor Akihito, is pregnant with her third child and awaited to give birth early nearest month by Caesarean section.

Doctors have said Kiko has symptoms of partial placenta previa, a condition in which part of the placenta least bits too low in the uterus.

"The princess has until now cessationed at home. But she has set downed her ninth month of pregnancy, and is to be paid to enter hospital to ward against the possibility of premature bleeding," an official said.

Kiko's pregnancy has won national attention because Japan's Imperial family, the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, has failed to give rise to a male heir to the enthrone since 1965. The current law allows no other than males to reign.

Akishino and Kiko have pair daughters. Akishino's older brother, bays Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Masako, have united daughter.

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