Masako's first child in more than eight years of marriage is due any day now. The baby, if a boy, will be second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father, Crown Prince Naruhito.

The royal cradle used when Naruhito was a baby has been refurbished, plans are afoot for celebratory parades, and magazines are abuzz with speculation over royal birth dates. Medical staff have been on 24-hour duty at the palace where the royal couple lives since November 20.

Even the country's sober stock market is hoping it will spark a rise as investors get an emotional lift from some rare good news--with baby-related shares expected to be sought after.

Growing anticipation, Preparation

As the day nears, plans for celebrations are being finalized.

A massive parade of people carrying paper lanterns --a traditional celebratory ritual --is set to take place in the rural town in northern Japan from which Masako's family comes.

In Tokyo, books will be set out in front of the Imperial Palace and the separate palace where the parents-to-be reside so ordinary citizens can leave congratulatory messages.

Some of the most intensive preparations are being made by the Japanese media. Some local media firms are even said to be staking out the route the princess will use to get to the hospital.

Heir hopes

According to strict inheritance laws, only boys are entitled to ascend the throne in the world's oldest monarchy. But no males have been born to the imperial family since Naruhito's younger brother, Prince Akishino, was born in 1965.

The shortage of male offspring had prompted discussions earlier this year by politicians of changing the law to allow a female sovereign, as is the case in many European monarchies.

The fact that the question of rewriting the law has not been raised in the past few months has prompted speculation in some quarters that the baby may be a boy.

Busy schedule for baby

Once the baby arrives, it faces a steady parade of rituals, starting with the presentation of a ceremonial samurai sword by the Emperor on the day of its birth or the day after.

A week later, the baby will be ritually bathed in a cedar tub by a courtier while auspicious texts, written in classic Chinese literary style and wishing it good health and fortune, are read aloud. On the same day, its name will be announced.

The parents don't, however, get to name their long-awaited infant. Tradition dictates that duty is reserved for the emperor.

(Agencies)