Imperial Household Agency

The Imperial Household Agency (Japanese宫内 庁, Kunai -chō ) is a the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Japan under -standing Government Office in Japan, which is responsible ( within the meaning of Article 7 of the Constitution of Japan) for matters of state in terms of the Japanese Imperial Family. Prior to 1947, was the establishment of Imperial Hofministerium (宫内 省, Kunai shō ) and until 1949 Kunai - fu (宫内 府). Since January 6, 2001, the institution is headed by a Lord High Steward, the Deputy Lord High Steward is an aside. The Office employs 1080 officials who are often turned off temporarily from other ministries.

The Office includes the Office of the Great Steward, the governing body of the chamberlains, the head of the department for ceremonies, archives and mausoleums, the Department for maintenance and operations, the budget of the Crown Prince and the office of Kyoto.

The seat of the Office is located on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. In addition to the daily tasks such as state visits, organization of events, preservation of the cultural, administrative functions, etc., the Office is also responsible for the scattered throughout Japan imperial residences. Visitors who want to visit the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, the imperial Katsura Villa ( Katsura Rikyu桂 离宫) or other places should register first with the Office for guidance.

The Office was often criticized for is isolating members of the imperial family of the Japanese public and insist on outdated customs, rather than allowing a more accessible, more national monarchy. This critic was increasingly in recent years, especially as Emperor Akihito much helped to make the monarchy less elitist.

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