TOKYO -- Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced Friday that his wife had given birth to the couple's first child, a boy, in the morning. He plans to take about two weeks of parental leave in a highly unusual move that could encourage more new fathers to stay home.
Koizumi is the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and is considered a potential successor to current leader Shinzo Abe. He is married to TV presenter Christel Takigawa.
