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 carry out his duties to the best of his ability. “This is an extremely responsible job, so I am ready to make maximum efforts,” Kuroda, 65, who took office as grand steward of the agency Wednesday, told a press conference Thursday, which was also attended by his predecessor, Yasuhiko Nishimura, 70. On the current situation of the Imperial Family, Kuroda said, “There are issues from the viewpoint of stable succession to the throne, while a decrease in the number of members of the family poses problems in terms of its activities.” Kuroda called on the Diet, Japan’s parliament, to “thoroughly discuss” these matters, adding, “I want to explain the importance of the issues on various occasions.” He became vice grand steward of the agency in December 2023. Kuroda said that as he served in the post for the past two years, he felt that the Imperial Family is “an emotional anchor” for the public. Challenges now include redoubling efforts to share the Imperial Family’s activities with the public and appropriately managing Imperial tombs and other assets of the family, Kuroda said. Nishimura became vice grand steward of the agency in September 2016 and grand steward in December 2019, after Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne in May that year. Looking back on his tenure as the agency’s chief, Nishimura cited as an impressive event the December 2019 visit by the Emperor and Empress Masako to typhoon-hit areas in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in northeastern Japan. He said he would be overcome with emotion when recalling how people affected by the disaster shed tears during a meeting with the Imperial couple. Also touching on the couple’s visit to areas afflicted by the January 2024 powerful earthquake in the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, Nishimura said, “I felt the importance of (Imperial Family members) engaging in activities to share the suffering of citizens.” Meanwhile, Nishimura said it is regrettable that little progress was made in discussions on issues facing the Imperial Family during his tenure as grand steward. “I hope ideas that are supported by many people will be presented,” he said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]