The is the head department of the
Imperial Household Agency
The (IHA) is an agency of the government of Japan in charge of state matters concerning the Imperial Family, and also the keeping of the Privy Seal and State Seal of Japan. From around the 8th century AD, up until the Second World War, it ...
of Japan.
History
The origins of the structure of the Imperial Household can be traced back to the reign of
Emperor
An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...
Monmu, with the organisation of the government structure in 701
AD.
Prince Naruhito, in May 2004, criticized the then-grand steward, Toshio Yuasa, for putting pressure on
Masako Owada, Naruhito's wife, to bear a male child. At a press conference, Naruhito said that his wife had "completely exhausted herself" trying to adapt to royal life, and added "there were developments that denied Masako's career (up to our marriage) as well as her personality".
Japan Policy and Politics, 24 May 2004
Organisation
The is the head of the secretariat, and is responsible for managing the part of the household staff who are , or "outside the house"; these employees serve as drivers, cooks, gardener
A gardener is someone who practices gardening, either professionally or as a hobby.
Description
A gardener is any person involved in gardening, arguably the oldest occupation, from the hobbyist in a residential garden, the home-owner suppleme ...
s, or administrative officials.[ Frederick, Jim (28 August 2006)]
"The Future of Japan's Monarchy"
''Time Asia
''Time'' (stylized in all caps) is an American news magazine based in New York City. For nearly a century, it was published weekly, but starting in March 2020 it transitioned to every other week. It was first published in New York City on Ma ...
''.
The secretariat is composed of these divisions:
* Secretariat
* General Affairs
* Imperial Princes' Household Affairs
* Accounting
* Supplies
* Hospital of the Imperial Household
Grand stewards
References
{{reflist
External links
Imperial Household Agency , Grand Steward's Secretariat
* Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
1 December 2001.
Imperial Household Agency
ja:宮内庁長官官房