Find out more about the Imperial Household Agency
The Imperial Household Agency supports the work and daily life of the Imperial Family.
The Imperial Household Agency is an organization that helps the Emperor and other members of the Imperial Family with their official duties and daily lives. Here are some examples:
- Supporting the Emperor in his official duties
- Preparing for ceremonies and visits by members of the Imperial Family inside and outside Japan
- Protecting buildings and gardens such as the Imperial Palace and the Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Managing Imperial mausoleums across Japan, storing and researching classical texts, archaeological objects, and documents
The Imperial Household Agency also maintains Japan’s history and culture. For example, it looks after traditional cultures such as Gagaku (Japanese Imperial Court Music and Dance) and traditional horsemanship in Japan, passing them down to the present era.
It also protects treasures in the Shosoin Repository and keeps important records related to the Imperial Family.
In this way, the Imperial Household Agency not only supports the Emperor’s work but also protects Japan’s traditions and culture.
The first Japanese law, the Taiho Code, established in 701, led to the creation of the Ministry of the Imperial Household. This is where the name of the Imperial Household Agency comes from.