Japan's princess prepares to give birth

Crown Princess Masaka waves on her way to the Imperial Household hospital in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday.

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japan's Crown Princess Masako has entered the Imperial Household hospital and is expected to give birth soon, a spokesman for the Japanese royal family said Friday.

Crown Prince Naruhito accompanied his wife to the hospital.

Two years ago, the princess suffered a miscarriage, and as a result, media coverage of her pregnancy has been subdued.

If the baby is a boy he would become second in line to the imperial throne. Crown Prince Naruhito is first in line for the throne, occupied since 1989 by Emperor Akihito, 67.

If the baby is a girl, she would not be allowed under current law to ascend to the imperial throne. The prospect that the princess might give birth to a girl has already sparked speculation that there will be pressure to change the law.

Princess Masako, 37, married Prince Naruhito, 41, eight years ago.