Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan Facts for Kids

The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan (called Naidaijin in Japanese) was a very important job in the old government of Japan. This person was a direct, personal advisor to the Emperor. They were also in charge of keeping the special Privy Seal of Japan and State Seal of Japan. These seals were like official stamps used by the Emperor.

This important job was stopped in 1945, right after World War II. The modern office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal was different from an older job with the same name.

History of the Lord Keeper's Role
List of Important Officeholders
See also

History of the Lord Keeper's Role

Starting the Modern Office (Meiji Period)

The modern job of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal began in 1885. This was after the Meiji government created the Japanese Cabinet. Even though the Cabinet was formed, the Lord Keeper was separate from it.

The Lord Keeper's main role was to be a direct and personal advisor to the Emperor. They also managed important imperial papers, like official orders and announcements from the Emperor. Requests sent to the Emperor and the court were also handled by this office.

In 1907, the job became even bigger. It was renamed the Office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (Naidaijin-fu). More staff were added, including a chief secretary, three secretaries, and six assistants. This was because the workload increased as older, influential advisors (called genrō) passed away.

Growing Power (Shōwa Period)

When Emperor Hirohito began his rule in 1925, the Lord Keeper's job became much more powerful. This happened partly because the role of the Prime Minister became less strong. Political arguments within the Japanese parliament, called the Diet of Japan, also helped the Lord Keeper gain more power.

The person holding this position could control who was allowed to meet the Emperor. They also managed what information reached the Emperor. This made the Lord Keeper a very influential figure in the government.

End of the Office

The position and the office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal were officially ended on November 24, 1945. This happened after Japan's defeat in World War II.

Today, the special seals are looked after by the Chamberlain of Japan.

List of Important Officeholders

† died while in office.

Name	Start Date	End Date
Prince Sanjō Sanetomi 三条実美 (1837–1891)	22 December 1885	18 February 1891†
Marquis Tokudaiji Sanetsune 徳大寺実則 (1840–1919)	21 February 1891	12 August 1912
Prince Katsura Tarō 桂太郎 (1848–1913)	21 August 1912	21 December 1912
HIH Prince Fushimi Sadanaru 伏見宮貞愛親王 (1858–1923)	21 December 1912	13 January 1915
Prince Ōyama Iwao 大山巌 (1842–1916)	23 April 1915	10 December 1916†
Marquis Matsukata Masayoshi 松方正義 (1835–1924)	2 May 1917	18 September 1922
Viscount Hirata Tōsuke 平田東助 (1849–1925)	19 September 1922	30 March 1925
Viscount Hamao Arata 浜尾新 (1849–1925)	acting (by the President of the Privy Council) 30 March 1925
Count Makino Nobuaki 牧野伸顕 (1861–1949)	30 March 1925	26 February 1935
Viscount Saitō Makoto 斎藤実 (1858–1936)	26 February 1935	26 February 1936†
Baron Ichiki Kitokurō 一木喜徳郎 (1867–1944)	acting (by the President of the Privy Council) 6 March
Yuasa Kurahei 湯浅倉平 (1874–1940)	6 March 1936	1 June 1940
Marquis Kido Kōichi 木戸幸一 (1889–1977)	1 June 1940	24 November 1945