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Japan's Big News
Been there, done that
By ADI IGNATIUS
December 13, 1999
Web posted at 11 a.m. Hong Kong time, 10 p.m. EDT
I can understand all the excitement in Japan over news that Princess Masako may be expecting. In fact, it reminds me a lot of my wife Dinda's first pregnancy.
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In Japan, the entire country has long been waiting for this blessed event. "Is she or isn't she" rumors have often been splashed across Japan's front pages. Now, even before the Princess' pregnancy can be officially confirmed, the national media are going nuts.
Though our situation differed in many key details, there was plenty of excitement, I can tell you, among grandparents and the florist. And someone, I forget who, sent chocolates. So I can imagine the kind of giddiness emerging inside the imperial palace.
A private word to the lucky couple: there are plenty of thrills to come! True story: when my wife's labor started (two weeks early), she was in Hong Kong while I was still in Beijing, covering the 1989 student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. When she called with the news on May 23 at 2:00 a.m., I flew into a panic, trying to figure out how to get to Hong Kong in time for the birth. A journalistic colleague, Andy Higgins (at that time a hopeless bachelor), tried his best to be a pal. "Dinda's water broke!" I told him in a voice that no doubt sounded panicked. "Hmm," he responded, in a clueless attempt to be helpful, "so, everything's all wet?"
I straightened him out and sped to the Beijing airport, abandoning my car in the parking lot. I sweet-talked a ticket from a China aviation employee and got onto the first plane of the morning to Hong Kong, which, it turned out, made a regular stop in Tianjin where the pilots had breakfast. When we finally arrived in Hong Kong, I dashed first off the plane and cut to the front of the long lines at immigration, customs and the taxi stand.
After the cab sped off, my driver suddenly decided he didn't know Matilda Hospital and wouldn't be able to find it. He dumped me in the middle of Kowloon. By this time I was in a certifiable frenzy. I eventually found a second taxi, which took me to the hospital. More than 12 hours had ensued since my wife's call. I ran into the delivery room just in time to hear the doctor tell her: "Now push!" Baby Oliver joined the world five minutes later.
Though Oliver's not technically in line to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne, I can easily imagine Crown Prince Naruhito getting caught in a similar bind. My advice: Stay calm. Ignore the media attention. And steer clear of Kowloon taxi drivers.
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