Japanese toymaker Takara Comapny launched on Friday a pregnant edition of its wildly popular "Rika-chan" doll, Japan's version of Barbie.
When purchased, the long-haired, wide-eyed doll is clearly an expectant mother, complete with maternity dress and rounded belly.
Delivery of the baby - literally - comes some two weeks later, after the buyer mails a postcard to the toymaker and receives the baby in reply, along with a special key that deflates the doll's belly to pre-pregnancy proportions.
A Takara spokesperson said the new doll, which is being launched to commemorate the 35th anniversary next year of the Rika-chan doll, will be priced at 3 500 yen (about R272).
"We hope it will help show children the importance of ties between parent and child," she said.
But she added that there was no connection between the timing of the doll's launch and the fact that Japan's Crown Princess Masako is expected to give birth to her first child as early as the end of this month.
If Masako's baby is a boy, he will be second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. - Reuters