Buichiro Kuroda


Buichiro Kuroda is a Japanese official who serves as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency since December 2025.

Early life and education

Kuroda was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, graduating from Nada High School. He gained his alma mater from the University of Tokyo.

Early career

Kuroda became part of the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1982, and later the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. He has held many governmental positions such as Director General of the Local Public Finance Bureau, Commissioner of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, and Administrative Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. During the Tohokushinsha Film and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications scandal, Kuroda was one of the people who received an ethics warning. He also received a warning due to entertainment he had received from the NTT, in violation of the ethics code. He resigned from his posts in 2022.

Vice Grand Steward

In 2023, Kuroda was appointed Vice Steward of the Imperial Household Agency.
In April 2024, he made a statement commenting on the Imperial family reaching a million followers on Instagram, stating "It is a reminder of the strong public interest in the imperial family. I'm filled with a renewed sense of responsibility". He went on to comment "We will continue to refine our public relations approach, engaging a wider audience, including younger generations".
In June of that same year, Kuroda was the first official of the Imperial Household Agency to announce that Empress Emerita Michiko had contracted COVID-19, at a regular press conference.
In 2025, Yasuhiko Nishimura announced his retirement as Grand Steward, with Buichiro Kuroda to succeed him on December 24.

Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency

Kuroda became Grand Steward on the 24th as planned. His vice steward, and the one succeeding him as vice steward, is.
On 25 December, 2025, Kuroda gave his first press conference. "I have been given a job of great responsibility. I will do my best, even if my abilities are small." He also discussed the imperial succession and the debate surrounding it, stating "I would like to take various opportunities to explain the importance of this issue."