Grand Steward
Encyclopedia
The is an official within the Imperial Household Agency
of Japan
. He is the senior official of the Imperial Household, and is responsible for managing the part of the household staff who are omote, or "outside the house"; these employees serve as driver
s, cook
s, gardeners, or administrative officials. The current Grand Steward is Shingo Haketa
, who took up the position in April 2005, succeeding Toshio Yuasa.
Mommu
, with the organisation of the government structure in 701 AD.
, in May 2004, criticised 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 (up to our marriage) as well as her personality."
Imperial Household Agency
The is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He is the senior official of the Imperial Household, and is responsible for managing the part of the household staff who are omote, or "outside the house"; these employees serve as driver
Chauffeur
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
s, cook
Cook (servant)
A cook is a household staff member responsible for food preparation. The term can refer to the head of kitchen staff in a great house or to the cook-housekeeper, a far less prestigious position involving more physical labour....
s, gardeners, or administrative officials. The current Grand Steward is Shingo Haketa
Shingo Haketa
is a Japanese bureaucrat. He was installed as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency on 1 April 2005.Appointed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, promoter of absolute primogeniture, Haketa is known as a supporter of the report submitted by the Advisory Council on the Imperial House Law,...
, who took up the position in April 2005, succeeding Toshio Yuasa.
History of the position
The origins of the structure of the Imperial Household can be traced back to the reign of EmperorEmperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
Mommu
Emperor Mommu
was the 42nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Mommu's reign spanned the years from 697 through 707.-Traditional narrative:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Karu-shinnō....
, with the organisation of the government structure in 701 AD.
Criticism
Prince NaruhitoNaruhito, Crown Prince of Japan
is the eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, which makes him the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan.-Early life and education:...
, in May 2004, criticised 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 (up to our marriage) as well as her personality."
External links
- Japan Ministry of Foreign Affiars (MOFA), "Statement by the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household," 1 December 2001