The Imperial Household

[Prisma]

After criticism of spouse name tags at the spring garden party, full names will be printed for all guests going forward, starting with the autumn garden party on October 30.

Full names on IDs at imperial garden party, and BBQ is back! | The Asahi Shimbun

Proper name tags for all is the new rule at imperial garden parties following criticism that the first names of spouses of dignitaries and others of note were omitted at the last function held in spring.

[...]

The criticism was all over X after this year’s spring garden party where spouses were identified as “Husband of (wife’s full name)” or “Wife of (husband’s full name).”

Starting with this autumn garden party, the full names of spouses will be written on the nametags, the agency said.

The agency also said their full names will be written in the address of the invitation card.

[...]

The agency noted that overcrowding was not an issue and that it had decided to comply with numerous requests to serve jingiskan barbecue and yakitori from the agency’s ranch.

 

[Somebody]

It's interesting that the household's initial way to deal with criticism about differences in how wives vs husbands were treated was to also give the husbands of invited guests a name tag that no longer displayed their name but -like their female counterparts had had for some time- started to refer to them only by their marital relationship. Only after even more criticism, they are now abandoning that practice altogether.

 

[Prisma]

At a regular press conference on September 11th, Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency Nishimura Yasuhiko said he's also troubled by the misinformation regarding Prince Hisahito's university plans. In response to Crown Princess Kiko's birthday statement mentioning her distress at online criticism, Nishimura said "We will take action as necessary."

The IHA press club requested videos include audio but Nishimura replied, "I would like you to understand that each of the subjects has their own thoughts," suggesting that the audio could not be released due to the wishes of the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Family.

The agency is considering sharing activities of the Akishino and other Imperial families on its Instagram. The FY2025 budget request earmarks 34 million yen for the Public Relations Office and 3 additional staff. Since launching in April, 宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency (@kunaicho_jp) • Instagram photos and videos limited content to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako or information about palaces, educational / nature tours, culture, etc. Other Imperial family members only appeared when they attended events with Their Majesties.

Sources: TBS, Jiji, NTV, FNN

 

[Prisma]

Imperial Household Agency requested about 254 million yen for disaster prevention maintenance on aging Imperial facilities in the supplementary budget for this fiscal year. Costs include:

• 88 million yen for repairs to nearly 30-year old transformer equipment at Toshimagaoka Cemetery
• 72 million yen to replace drainage pipes on the approach to Imperial tombs in Kyoto
• 73 million yen for cracked southern wall at Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto

The overall supplementary budget, which totals approximately 13.9 trillion yen in the general account, was approved by the Cabinet on November 29.

Sources: Asahi, Jiji

 

[Prisma]

On December 12th, the Imperial Household Agency provided results of its Instagram strategy since launch in April through September.

• 142 posts
• over 1.8 million followers
• unfortunately, followers in "young people" group (age 13-34) is 17% with most followers age 35+
• most "liked" content were photos of Emperor Naruhito's family during a retreat at Goryo Bokujo (Imperial Stock Farm) in Tochigi Prefecture, which garnered 691,000 results.
• number of followers exceeded 1 million about three weeks after the account was launched
• Exceeded 1.5 million followers immediately after posting a photo of the Emperor and his family resting in June
• Posts announcing five years since the Emperor's accession to the throne (May) and the Emperor and Empress's visit to the UK (June) also received many responses, with the total number of "likes" exceeding 19 million.

Sources: NTV, Sankei

Behind-the-scenes photos of Japanese Imperial Family embraced by many on Instagram - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- Behind-the-scenes photos of the Japanese Imperial Family tend to get many

mainichi.jp

...While the agency evaluates that the account "has reached the younger generation to some extent," and "is acting as a means to deliver information to a wide range of people," it aims to further devise ways to reach younger audiences...

The age distribution of followers was as follows: 1.4% were aged 13 to 17, 5.7% were 18 to 24, 10.2% were 25 to 34, 16.3% were 35 to 44, 28.0% were 45 to 54, 26.7% were 55 to 64, and 11.7% were 65 and older...

Maiko Fujiwara, the head of the PR office, commented, "We want to pursue the goal of having many people view our content, and strive to achieve that. Since unfollowing can also be done with the push of a button, we want to continue delivering information that attracts a variety of people."

 

[Prisma]

At a regular press conference on December 12th, Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura said "I regret that we did not have a sufficient opportunity to hear their views," regarding Crown Prince Akishino's comments about getting thoughts from Imperial family members (the princesses) that would be affected by a proposal to retain Imperial status after marriage.

Crown Prince Akishino touched on the subject at a press conference on November 25 ahead of his 59th birthday. Nishimura said the prince's remarks were "exactly right, and it's something we as staff of the Imperial Household Agency must keep in mind." He hasn't had a chance to hear enough from members of the Imperial Family, and expressed his intention to "continue to hear various opinions in the future."

Sources: Sankei, Asahi

-----

Japan Crown Prince Akishino Turns 59, Says Necessary for Female Imperial Members’ Opinions About Proposed Change to System to Be Heard - The Japan News

... “Some in the Imperial Household Agency who are in responsible positions need to learn the [female Imperial members’] opinions about this,” ...

“The members of the Imperial family are real life people. The people in suitable positions in the Imperial Household Agency need to know how [change to the system] would affect the members and how they think about it.” He also said he had not discussed the matter with his second daughter, Princess Kako...

Crown prince says imperial family also ‘real live humans’ | The Asahi Shimbun

[...] In the news conference, Fumihito was asked if he felt the Diet members discussing the matter should hear directly from imperial family members since they would be directly affected by any legal revisions.

He refrained from commenting, citing the fact the subject was directly related to the imperial household system...

As such, he said “those within the Imperial Household Agency holding important posts and who provide support for the daily lives and work (of imperial family members) would have to understand what situation the members would be placed in (due to any changes) as well as what their views are on possible changes...”

... His latest statement was seen as reflecting his concerns about the impact any change to the Imperial House Law will have on the lives of younger members of the imperial family.

 

[Somebody]

Not sure what to think about this. He publicly state that the household needs to discuss this issue with the princesses because any change will significantly impact their lives but he himself claims to not even have talked about it with his own daughter?!

 

[Prisma]

After 16 years, the Imperial Household Agency website (https://kunaicho.go.jp) will be revamped soon.

Besides a new design, the website will be mobile responsive. Work will be carried out in 2 stages with the first stage launching sometime in February. The second stage will see further improvements to the introduction of Imperial family events. The Imperial Household Agency's website has not undergone a major overhaul since 2009, and has been criticized for being difficult to use.

Source: TBS

 

[Blog Real]

It has been launched on the issue of succession with two proposed options, but it remains unclear when Japan's Imperial Family succession system will be overhauled.

Uncertainty about the future of the Chrysanthemum Throne lies in the dwindling number of female members due to marriages to commoners and the advancing age of other royals.

As matters stand, Prince Hisahito is the sole heir to the throne.

Two options proposed by an expert panel in 2021 are being discussed in earnest by the Diet: allowing female members to retain their imperial status following marriage; and enabling male and patrilineal former members to formally rejoin the royal family via adoption.

It remains unclear when Japan’s royal house system will be revamped.

More information: EXPLAINER: Shadow cast on succession issue with multiple options proposed | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Prisma]

After 16 years, the Imperial Household Agency website (https://kunaicho.go.jp) will be revamped soon.

Besides a new design, the website will be mobile responsive. Work will be carried out in 2 stages with the first stage launching sometime in February. The second stage will see further improvements to the introduction of Imperial family events. The Imperial Household Agency's website has not undergone a major overhaul since 2009, and has been criticized for being difficult to use.

Source: TBS

The IHA website has been updated!

宮内庁

宮内庁のホームページです。天皇皇后両陛下をはじめとする皇室の方々の宮殿・御所などでのご公務や国内各地へのお出まし、外国とのご交際など皇室の様々なご活動を中心に紹介しています。

www.kunaicho.go.jp

ETA: The new design launched on February 12 at 3pm JST. Although the look is new, the content remains the same except for some larger images and 360-degree panoramic view of parts of the palace, normally off-limits to the public.

The total cost for new website in FY2024 was 9.6 million yen. Further renovations are planned for fiscal year 2025, with Public Relations Director Maiko Fujiwara saying, "We want to make it easier for people to reach the page they are looking for."

Sources: FNN, Jiji, NTV

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency will launch a YouTube channel on April 1 at 10am. Although video content will be basically the same as Instagram, the agency will post videos of the Emperor's press conferences and other longer content, such as activities of Imperial family, that is difficult to share on Instagram. Comments will be disabled.

The handle name is: Imperial_Household_Agency_jp

Sources: Asahi, Sankei

 

[Blog Real]

Imperial House of Japan YouTube Channel:

å®®ååº Imperial Household Agency

å®®ååºã®å¬å¼YouTubeãã£ã³ãã«ã§ããããããããããããããããããããããã 天ççå両éä¸ã®ãæ´»åçãçºä¿¡ãã¦ããã¾ãããæè¦ã»ãææ³ã¯ãå®®ååºãã¼ã ãã¼ã¸ã®ããæè¦ã»ãææ³ãã§åãä»ãã¦ããã¾ãã®ã§ããã¡ãããå©ç¨ãã ããã https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/

youtube.com

 

[Prisma]

Japan's Imperial Household Agency fires employee for embezzlement | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japan's Imperial Household Agency says it has dismissed an aide to the Emperor's family for stealing 3.6 million yen, or about 25,000 dollars, from an account for the family's living expenses.

The agency says it fired the unidentified chamberlain in his or her 20s on Thursday. The agency has filed a criminal complaint with the Imperial Guard Headquarters against the individual on suspicion of theft.

The agency says that a manager in charge of an account covering the private expenses of the Emperor's family noticed in January that there was a discrepancy between ledger entries and outstanding cash.

An internal investigation found in March that 30,000 yen was missing from the account...

Japan's imperial palace fires an employee for stealing cash from the household

Japan’s Imperial palace says it has fired an employee for stealing cash totaling 3.6 million yen ($24,900) from Emperor Naruhito and his family over more than a year.

apnews.com

... In all, the suspect admitted to stealing a total of 3.6 million yen in a number of occasions from November 2023 to late March this year, and later returned the money by mid-April, it said.

The money was part of 324 million yen ($2.24 million) annual budget allocated as living expenses for the emperor, his wife Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko and Naruhito’s parents — former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The IHA said it had filed a criminal complaint to the palace police and formally dismissed the employee. The assistant manager in his 40s, who initially noticed the cash irregularity in January, was given a one-month salary cut over his lax accounting management, the IHA said...

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The dismissed chamberlain was in their 20s and already senior enough to have the sort of access allowing them to embezzle $25,000 undetected from the senior royals' private expense accounts, while being part of a staff of 80?

Good that the Imperial Household Agency was transparent about what happened, despite the embarrassment. Unless the police were going to make it public anyway.

 

[fabaunty]

I sincerely hope that this individual was not someone their Imperial Majesties, or their daughter came into regular contact with . If this person was desperate enough to steal from them, they were also open to blackmail/

 

[Prisma]

On June 23rd, the Imperial Household Agency announced Shunsuke Sakamoto (45) will become the new director of the Public Relations Office. Maiko Fujiwara, who has been director since the office's creation in April 2023, is seconded to the National Police Agency. Fujiwara led the overhaul of the IHA website, launch of Instagram and YouTube accounts, and expansion of the PR team.

Sakamoto graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined the National Police Agency in 2004. He has previously served as assistant chief of the International Terrorism Countermeasures Division and as a major cyber incident countermeasure planning officer in the Cyber Planning Division.

Sources: Sankei, jihyo.co.jp

 

[Tatiana Maria]

On June 23rd, the Imperial Household Agency announced Shunsuke Sakamoto (45) will become the new director of the Public Relations Office. Maiko Fujiwara, who has been director since the office's creation in April 2023, is seconded to the National Police Agency. Fujiwara led the overhaul of the IHA website, launch of Instagram and YouTube accounts, and expansion of the PR team.

Sakamoto graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined the National Police Agency in 2004. He has previously served as assistant chief of the International Terrorism Countermeasures Division and as a major cyber incident countermeasure planning officer in the Cyber Planning Division.

Sources: Sankei, jihyo.co.jp

Is it normal for a department head to leave after two years or is it a sign that Ms. Fujiwara's media strategy hasn't paid the dividends that were hoped for?

 

[Prisma]

Hmm, I don't know. Perhaps it was a mutual decision or requested move. Personnel from various government agencies are assigned to IHA and vice-versa. Perhaps Fujiwara was always meant to establish the new PR Office and then return to the Police Agency / move on? Or she is urgently needed at Police Agency or she requested the transfer?

Sorry for the delay in response!

-----

On August 18th, the Imperial Household Agency Instagram began sharing activities of Imperial branches and revealed details of their social media plan. Expanding coverage aims "to reach a wider range of people, including the younger generation." (interest in young people continues to be an issue)

• Their Majesties' activities will continue to be posted after they are completed, as early as same day.
• Princess Aiko's solo activities will be featured in the monthly posts summarizing the Emperor and Empress's activities.
• Branch families' activities will be summarized about once a month with about 10-20 photos each. The agency will split the group posts between the Akishino family and extended families (Hitachi, Mikasa, Takamado).
• Posts regarding Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age ceremonies are still under consideration.

Sources: TBS, FNN, Asahi

Akishino family - July

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "7月の秋篠宮家のご活動を紹介します。詳しくは、宮内庁ウェブサイト「秋篠宮家のご日程」をご覧ください。"

43K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on August 18, 2025: "7月の秋篠宮家のご活動を紹介します。詳しくは、宮内庁ウェブサイト「秋篠宮家のご日程」をご覧ください。".

www.instagram.com

Hitachi, Mikasa, Takamado families - June, July

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "6・7月の常陸宮家・三笠宮家・高円宮家のご活動を紹介します。"

92K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on August 18, 2025: "6・7月の常陸宮家・三笠宮家・高円宮家のご活動を紹介します。".

www.instagram.com

 

[Tatiana Maria]

On August 18th, the Imperial Household Agency Instagram began sharing activities of Imperial branches and revealed details of their social media plan. Expanding coverage aims "to reach a wider range of people, including the younger generation." (interest in young people continues to be an issue)

• Their Majesties' activities will continue to be posted after they are completed, as early as same day.
• Princess Aiko's solo activities will be featured in the monthly posts summarizing the Emperor and Empress's activities.
• Branch families' activities will be summarized about once a month with about 10-20 photos each. The agency will split the group posts between the Akishino family and extended families (Hitachi, Mikasa, Takamado).
• Posts regarding Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age ceremonies are still under consideration.

Sources: TBS, FNN, Asahi

Apologies as I haven't been keeping up with social media, but in which ways is this plan different from the previous practice?

I am also wondering if and how the coverage will change after Prince Hisahito begins performing official duties. Even now, shouldn't the Crown Prince Couple be given coverage more similar to the Emperor and Empress than to the Hitachis? Perhaps I am projecting my Western sensibilities (since the crown princes/ses in Europe tend to be nearly as prominent as the monarchs), but purely on a practical level it seems sensible to get the public used to seeing their future monarchs in a prominent working role, especially when so many are eager to paint the Akishinos as lazy wastes of taxpayer money.

 

[Prisma]

The IHA instagram primarily focused on the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako since its launch in April 2024. Other family members were only seen whenever they attended events with Their Majesties such as New Year celebrations, tea reception, state visit, garden party, etc.

From August 18th, the account expanded coverage to the branch families' own activities. Akishino family gets their own separate post, clearly differentiating them from the other Imperial branches which are combined into 1 post.

The IHA is very slow. This is an agency that took ~6 months to start video visits for the Emperor and Empress during the pandemic. Who knows the bureaucracy involved just to post promptly for the Imperial couple...

Honestly, I'm frustrated that the agency is considering what to do about Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age. Yes, they should post. It's not that complicated.

Japan’s Imperial Household Agency Begins Posting About Branches of Imperial Family on Instagram

<p>The Imperial Household Agency began posting about the Imperial family branches of Akishino, Hitachi, Mikasa and Takamado on its official Instagram account on Monday.</p>

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Honestly, I'm frustrated that the agency is considering what to do about Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age. Yes, they should post. It's not that complicated.

I didn't realize the IHA wasn't merely considering how to post but whether to post about the coming-of-age. How is that even a question?

 

[Prisma]

Imperial Household Agency submitted its budget request for FY2026

• 53 million yen for public relations such as Instagram and other channels.
  • The agency's social media has expanded to cover more family members and needs funds for photography and video production fees.
  • Expanding coverage to activities in Tokyo.
  • Double the amount requested for FY2025 (~27 million yen)
• 2 staff members to support Princess Aiko.
  • She currently has 1 dedicated staff, so she will have 3 total.
  • Agency cited more staff "due to her graduating from university and her full-scale activities as an adult member of the Imperial Family."
• 170 million yen to repair broken shutters at Imperial Palace.
• 13 million yen to investigate impact of lighting up the Imperial Palace on the ecosystem.

Total: 19.77 billion yen

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako continue to postpone Princess Aiko's tiara, citing inflation.

Sources: NTV, FNN, Sankei, TV-Asahi

 

[Prisma]

TV Tokyo exclusive: Imperial family personal living expenses will be increased for the first time in 30 years, starting from next year's fiscal budget. This is the "take-home allowance" for their living expenses and pocket money.

The increase is because inflation has exceeded the Imperial Household Agency's benchmark of 10%. The amount will be decided after the November Consumer Price Index is released. However, the allowance was not reduced despite a prolonged period of delation. There are concerns that 19-year-old Prince Hisahito's personal allowance will exceed 10 million yen ($67,736 USD).

In the past, the Emeritus couple postponed the increase at their discretion. The final decision will be made in consultation with Emperor Naruhito. FY2025 take-home allowance was approximately 560 million yen ($3,791,623 USD)

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Thanks! What has been the public reaction (if any) to these requested budget increases? Adjustment for inflation after 30 years (!) seems eminently reasonable to me. A larger budget for social media and three staffers for Princess Aiko doesn't seem extravagant compared to other monarchies/presidencies, but I could imagine them irritating members of the public who must conduct their own social media business and working lives without any paid staff.

 

[Prisma]

Not much reaction so far. The mainstream news and women's magazines have been occupied with Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age events, Princess Aiko's Niigata visit, Crown Princess Kiko's birthday, and now Emperor Naruhito's family's visit to Nagasaki.

I saw a tweet complaining why Prince Hisahito is singled out for concern and accusing TV Tokyo of anti-Akishino bias. Without adjustment, he would receive 9.15 million yen ($61,963 USD), same as his sister Kako (adult shinno/naishinno royal, not independent). Is the difference truly a bridge too far? Or perhaps the increase from his allowance as a minor 3.05 million yen ($20,654 USD) is too great?

The person also disagreed with reporting the Coming-of-Age kanmuri (headpiece for adult prince) costs last year.

ETA: maybe it was intentional of TV Tokyo to drop this exclusive in the middle of a busy royal week?

 

[Prisma]

Shinichiro Yamamoto (75), former grand steward and official advisor to the Imperial Household Agency, has been appointed advisor to Emperor Naruhito on important matters concerning the Imperial Household, effective from October 31.

Current advisor Noriyuki Kazaoka (79) and former grand steward, retired the same day. Yamamoto also resigned from his role as official IHA advisor.

Source: Jiji

 

[Prisma]

Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura (70) will retire soon and be succeeded by Vice-Grand Steward Buichiro Kuroda (65). The appointment will be approved in a future Cabinet meeting.

Kuroda joined the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) in 1982. After serving as Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and other positions, he was appointed Vice-Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency in 2023. He was involved in various administrative matters such as the Coming-of-age Ceremony for Prince Hisahito. Kuroda is expected to examine how to manage public activities with declining number of Imperial family members, as well as strengthening information dissemination to the younger generation via social media.

Nishimura, a former National Police Agency official, has served in various positions, including Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management. He became Vice-Grand Steward in 2016 and then Grand Steward in 2019 after the abdication, supporting the Imperial Household's activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources: NHK, Sankei, Nikkei

More on Kuroda from post 73

 

[Prisma]

The personnel changes were approved at a Cabinet meeting on December 19. Nishimura retires on December 24.

Also, Yoshimi Ogata (62) will become Vice-Grand Steward.

Ogata graduated from University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law and joined the National Police Agency in 1987. He served as Deputy Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department and Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, before serving as Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department 2012 - 2013. Ogata is originally from Fukuoka Prefecture.

Sources: Jiji, Sankei

Kuroda to Head Japan Imperial Household Agency

Tokyo, Dec. 19 (Jiji Press)--Buichiro Kuroda, vice grand steward of Japan's Imperial Household Agency, will be…

www.nippon.com

 

[Prisma]

On December 25th, retired Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura and new Grand Steward Buichiro Kuroda held press conferences.

Nishimura reflected on his 6-years in office, citing the cancelation public audiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic, introduction of online official duties, and accompanying Their Majesties on visits to disaster areas as memorable events. He felt the importance of their activities in sharing the suffering of the people. Nishimura revealed he felt "frustrated" that discussions on the Imperial system had not progressed during his time as Grand Steward and said "While hasty discussions should be avoided, I hope there will be a proposal many citizens will support."

Kuroda said "I have been given a job of great responsibility. I will do my best, even if my abilities are small." Regarding elderly and decreasing Imperial family members, he said "We will pay attention to maintaining their health and we will take care to ensure that the amount of official duties is appropriate." Kuroda also called for progress in discussions in the Diet for the shrinking Imperial family, which poses challenges to ensuring stable succession and maintaining activities. "I would like to take various opportunities to explain the importance of this issue."

Nishimura received flowers upon leaving the Imperial Household Agency building around 5:40pm.

Photos: Asahi, Jiji, Mainichi

Japan's New Imperial Household Agency Chief Vows to Do Utmost

Tokyo, Dec. 26 (Jiji Press)--Buichiro Kuroda, new chief of Japan's Imperial Household Agency, has pledged to c…

www.nippon.com

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Thank you for being such a diligent reporter, Prisma.

If you ever have the time, I'd be quite interested to know what you or other Imperial Family observers think of Nishimura's performance as Grand Steward.