There have been scenes of joy in Japan as thousands flocked to Tokyo's Imperial Palace to celebrate the birth of the nation's newest royal.

A baby girl has brought cheer to the country, despite some rather awkward questions posed by the arrival of a princess. In Japan, only males are allowed to ascend the throne.For the moment though, those concerns are being pushed to the background as congratulatory books are signed and festivities are held throughout the land. The long-awaited baby was born more than eight years into the marriage of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Crown Princess Masako, who turns 38 this week. Many Japanese had hoped for a boy but the odds were always against it. No males have been born into the imperial family since 1965. But the news that mother and baby are doing well has sparked scenes of jubilation across Japan. The royal birth is a rare bit of happy news in a country hit hard by a seemingly endless tide of economic woes.