Japan's royal couple noncommittal on female monarchy (AP)-Dec 05 6:42 AM ET
Japan's crown prince and princess dodged questions Thursday on the possibility of their daughter becoming the country's first reigning female monarch in nearly two centuries...
...when answering pre-submitted questions at an afternoon news conference, the royal couple ducked the issue of whether their daughter would fill similar shoes.
"Legal matters are at issue regarding this point," Naruhito said in a noticeably curt answer. "I will refrain from answering it at this time."
Masako, a 38-year-old former diplomat, took her husband's cue, although with slightly less formality and a gentle smile. "I cannot answer this directly, but as a mother, I would like her to have a happy life,"
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021205/ap_wo_en_po/as_gen_japan_royal_couple_1
