Imperial Household Agency

Japanese government agency in charge of state matters concerning the Imperial Family

The Imperial Household Agency (宮内庁, Kunaichō) is a government agency of Japan. This bureaucracy is concerned with Imperial House of Japan (Japan's imperial family).

Imperial Household Agency building on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
The Imperial Household Agency building is located near the Sakashita gate of the palace.

Kunaichō keeps the Privy Seal of Japan and the State Seal of Japan.

In the 18 centuries before the Second World War, it was named the Imperial Household Ministry (宮内省, Kunaishō).

The current Grand Steward is Shingo Haketa.

History

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The organization and functions of the Imperial Household were established in the eighth century. The fundamental elements of this system evolved during the course of centuries.

The main focus of attention is the living Imperial family. At the same time, the agency looks 890+ sites which may contain the remains of imperial family members.[1]

Organization and Functions

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The Grand Steward is charged with overseeing all activities of today's agency.[2]

 
 
Grand Steward
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Steward's Secretariat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board of Chamberlains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crown Prince's Household
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board of Ceremonies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Archives and Mausoela Department
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance and Works Department
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kyoto Ofice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The basic structures remained in place until the Meiji Restoration;[3] and some elements of the ancient organizing template remain:

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References

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The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family.
  1. McNicol, Tony. "Japanese Royal Tomb Opened to Scholars for First Time," National Geographic News. April 28, 2008; retrieved 2011-12-25.
  2. Imperial Household Agency: Organization
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Imperial Household Agency: History

Further reading

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  • Shigeru, Yoshida and Hiroshi Nara. (2007). Shigeru: Last Meiji Man. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-7425-3932-7; ISBN 978-0-7425-3933-4; OCLC 238440967
  • Kokusai Kyōiku Jōhō Sentā. (1986). The Imperial Family of Japan. Tokyo: International Society for Educational Information. OCLC 24145536

Other websites

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