Japan PM 'suspends' royal plans

Mr Koizumi initially pledged to put the bill to parliament by June

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has reportedly suspended his plan to introduce a bill to allow women to succeed to the Imperial throne.

The decision follows Tuesday's news that Princess Kiko is pregnant, raising hopes that a male heir may yet be born.

A government-appointed panel recently recommended changing the rules of succession, as no boys had been born into the imperial family for 40 years.

The bill gained wide public support, but many conservatives were against it.

SUCCESSION PRESSURES Currently only males can ascend the Japanese throne Emperor Akihito has two sons, Naruhito and Akishino If Naruhito died without a male heir, Akishino succeeds His wife, Kiko, is now pregnant Princess Sayako married a commoner so her children cannot ascend throne End of royal reform?

Before the news of Princess Kiko's pregnancy, Mr Koizumi had pledged to propose the bill to parliament before it ended its session in June.

But he now wants to wait until there is broad parliamentary support for the idea, Kyodo news agency said, quoting an unnamed government source.

It said the prime minister's decision followed a meeting with top ruling party leaders late on Thursday.

On Friday, Mr Koizumi denied he had given up on the bill.

"We should make a decision after having a clearer grasp of the situation," he told reporters. "I don't think the issue should trigger political conflict".

Girls so far

Analysts said Mr Koizumi faced growing opposition to the plan within his own party and Cabinet. There have also been calls to wait until the sex of Princess Kiko's baby is known.

Mr Koizumi's deputy, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, said the ruling Liberal Democratic Party would continue to discuss the bill.

"It's not about timing but about deepening discussions," Mr Abe said.

If Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son Prince Akishino, has a baby boy, it could dramatically alter the current situation in the imperial family.

Crown Prince Naruhito, first in line to the throne after his father Akihito, has just one daughter with his wife, Crown Princess Masako.

Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino currently have two daughters.