Japan's Princess Mako (L) and Princess Kako, daughters of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko appear before well-wishers as they celebrate Emperor Akihito's 83rd birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Dec 23, 2016. Reuters"Now is not the time for me to comment, but I want to speak at the right time," Komuro, 25, repeatedly told reporters. There are only four heirs to the throne - Akihito's two middle-aged sons, whose wives are in their early 50s, Akihito's octogenarian brother, and Prince Hisahito, the ten-year-old son of Akihito's younger son. Akihito has only four grandchildren, the other three of whom are female - Mako, her younger sister, Kako, and Crown Prince Naruhito's daughter, Aiko. The shrinking royal population - which mirrors the broader trend of Japanese society - has raised concerns that the youngest prince may also be the last.

Source: bd News24 May 17, 2017 11:26 UTC