Japanese government releases new pictures of baby princess

<br>TOKYO (AP) _ Japan's government has released new pictures of Princess Aiko as part of New Year's celebrations, and the photos show the month-old infant has already grown a full head of hair.

Wednesday, January 2nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TOKYO (AP) _ Japan's government has released new pictures of Princess Aiko as part of New Year's celebrations, and the photos show the month-old infant has already grown a full head of hair.

On Wednesday the baby's grandfather, Emperor Akihito, offered New Year's greetings to well-wishers who flocked to the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.

Aiko's father, Crown Prince Naruhito, attended Akihito's New Year's address. However, Crown Princess Masako and the baby were not present out of consideration for their health, palace officials said.

The nation had to be content with photos and video footage of the infant. Aiko was first seen last month in the arms of her mother when she left the palace hospital on Dec. 8.

Palace officials said the baby weighed about 8 pounds, three ounces at a checkup late last month.