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@The origin of the Imperial Household Agency canbe traced back to the provisions on the government structure in theTaiho Code, which was enacted in 701 under the reign of Emperor Monmu. @In 1889 the Constitution of the Empire of Japan and the Imperial HouseLaw were simultaneously promulgated. The former established theconstitutional monarchy while the latter dealt with the internalmatters of the Imperial House. They were both supreme rules in theirrespective spheres and established was the principle that internalmatters of the Imperial House were decided by the Imperial House itselfwithout any procedures in the Diet. The Imperial Household Ministry,which was independent of the Cabinet, was to deal with the ImperialHouse's internal matters and it was confirmed in an Imperial Order in1908 that the Imperial Household Minister, the Head of the Ministry,assisted the Emperor in all matters concerning the Imperial House. @On 3 May 1947 when the Constitution of Japan came into force,the Imperial Household Ministry became the Imperial Household Office,and was placed under the Prime Minister of Japan. The staff numberswere greatly reduced from an immediate post-war figure of over 6,200 toless than 1,500 and the organization was slimmed. @On 1 June 1949 when the Law Establishing the Prime Minister'sOffice came into force, the Imperial Household Office became theImperial Household Agency, an external agency of the Prime Minister'sOffice. @As a result of the Central Government Reform which tookeffect on 6 January 2001 the Imperial Household Agency has been placedunder the Cabinet Office. The Agency is headed by the Grand Steward andhe is assisted by the Vice-Grand Steward. The main organization of theAgency comprises the Grand Steward's Secretariat, Board of theChamberlains, Crown Prince's Household, Board of the Ceremonies,Archives and Mausolea Department, Maintenance and Works Department andKyoto Office. |
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