Grand Steward's Secretariat


The Grand Steward's Secretariat is the head department of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan.

History

The origins of the structure of the Imperial Household can be traced back to the reign of Emperor 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 as well as her personality".

Organisation

The grand steward is the head of the secretariat, and is responsible for managing the part of the household staff who are omote, or "outside the house"; these employees serve as drivers, cooks, gardeners, or administrative officials.
The secretariat is composed of these divisions:
  • Secretariat
  • General Affairs
  • Imperial Princes' Household Affairs
  • Accounting
  • Supplies
  • Hospital of the Imperial Household

    Grand stewards