Imperial Household Agency facts for kids
The Imperial Household Agency (宮内庁, Kunaichō) is a special government office in Japan. Its main job is to help and support the Imperial House of Japan, which is Japan's imperial family.
This agency also looks after important national items like the Privy Seal of Japan and the State Seal of Japan. These are official stamps used for important documents.
Before World War II, this agency was known as the Imperial Household Ministry (宮内省, Kunaishō). The person in charge of the agency today is called the Grand Steward. The current Grand Steward is Shingo Haketa.
Contents
History of the Agency
The way the Imperial Household is organized started a very long time ago, in the 700s. Over many centuries, this system changed and grew.
Today, the agency focuses on the living Imperial family. It also looks after over 890 places that might be where past imperial family members are buried.
How the Agency Works
The Grand Steward is the head of the Imperial Household Agency. They are in charge of all the agency's activities. Here's a simple look at how it's set up:
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Grand Steward |
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Grand Steward's Secretariat |
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Board of Chamberlains |
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Crown Prince's Household |
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Board of Ceremonies |
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Archives and Mausoela Department |
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Maintenance and Works Department |
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Kyoto Ofice |
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- Grand Steward's Secretariat: This office helps the Grand Steward manage the agency.
- Board of Chamberlains: This group takes care of the Emperor and Empress directly.
- Crown Prince's Household: This section supports the Crown Prince and his family.
- Board of Ceremonies: This board plans and carries out all the important ceremonies for the Imperial family.
- Archives and Mausolea Department: This department looks after historical records and the tombs of past emperors.
- Maintenance and Works Department: This group is responsible for maintaining the Imperial palaces and other buildings.
- Kyoto Office: This office handles Imperial matters in the city of Kyoto.
Legal Changes Over Time
The basic structure of the Imperial Household Agency has changed over the years, especially after big events in Japan's history.
- 701—1889: The first version, called the Ministry of the Imperial Household, was set up under the Taihō Code.
- 1889—1947: It became the Imperial Household Ministry. This was under the Imperial House Law of 1889 and the Meiji Constitution.
- 1947—1949: After World War II, it was renamed the Imperial Household Office. This happened with the new Constitution of Japan in 1947.
- 1949—2001: The agency was renamed the Imperial Household Agency and became part of the Prime Minister's Office.
- 2001—present: Today, the Imperial Household Agency is an external agency of the Cabinet Office.
Related pages
- 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
Images for kids
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The Ministry of the Imperial Household in the Meiji era.
See also
In Spanish: Agencia de la Casa Imperial para niños
