- Grand Steward
The nihongo|Grand Steward|宮内庁長官|Kunaichō Chōkan is an official within the
Imperial Household Agency ofJapan . He is the senior official of the Imperial Household, [ [http://www.culturalprofiles.net/japan/Units/3605.html The Imperial Household Agency] at Cultural Profiles of Japan] and is responsible for managing the part of the household staff who are "omote", or "outside the house"; these employees serve asdriver s,cook s,gardener s, or administrative officials. [http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060904/story2.html The Future of Japan's Monarchy] , "Time Asia" Magazine] The current Grand Steward isShingo Haketa , who took up the position in April 2005, succeedingToshio Yuasa . [ [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20050402b5.html Emperor gets a new chief steward] , "Japan Times", April 2, 2005]History of the position
The origins of the structure of the Imperial Household can be traced back to the reign of Emperor Mommu, with the organisation of the government structure in 701
AD . [ [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e15/ed15-01.html History of the Imperial Household Agency] at the Imperial Household Agency official site]Criticism
Prince Naruhito, in May 2004, criticised the then-Grand Steward,
Toshio Yuasa , for putting pressure onMasako 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." [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0XPQ/is_2005_Jan_10/ai_n8693402 Imperial family exposed to media speculation in 2004] , Japan Policy and Politics, 10 Jan 2005] [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0XPQ/is_2004_June_1/ai_n6279536 Crown prince back in Japan, will not meet press] , Japan Policy and Politics, May 24 2004]References
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