I hereby give My sanction to the Imperial House Office Law, for which the concurrence of the Imperial Diet has been obtained, and cause the same to be promulgated.
Signed:HIROHITO, Seal of the Emperor
This seventeenth day of the fourth month of the twenty-second year of Showa (April 17, 1947)
Countersigned: Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru
THE IMPERIAL HOUSE OFFICE LAW
Article 1. The Imperial House Office shall take charge of state affairs relating to the Imperial House and the Emperor's acts in matters of state provided for by Government Ordinance and shall have the custody of the Imperial Seal and the Seal of State.
Article 2. The Imperial House Office shall have the following personnel:
Grand Steward.............. First Class
Vice-Grand Steward, one person...................... First Class
Private Secretary to the Grand Steward, full time one person....................... Second Class
Grand Chamberlain.......... First Class
Chamberlains................ First or Second Class
Masters of Ceremonies........ First or Second Class
Secretaries of the Imperial House Office.............. First, Second or Third Class
Technical Officials of the Imperial House Office........ First, Second or Third Class
The respective full numbers of Chamberlains, Masters of Ceremonies, Secretaries and Technical Officials shall be prescribed by Government Ordinance.
In addition to the personnel mentioned in paragraph 1, such personnel as may be required may be assigned as provided by Government Ordinance.
Article 3. The attestation by the Emperor shall be required for the appointment and dismissal of the Grand Steward and the Grand Chamberlain.
Article 4. The Grand Steward shall take charge of the general management of the affairs of the Office, and shall direct and supervise its personnel in connection with their performance of duties.
Article 5. The Vice-Grand Steward shall, assisting the Grand Steward, adjust the affairs of the Office and supervise the work of each bureau, division or agency.
Article 6. The Private Secretary shall, under the orders of the Grand Steward, deal with confidential matters.
Article 7. The Grand Chamberlain shall be in waiting on the Emperor.
Article 8. The Chamberlains shall assist the Grand Chamberlain in performing his function.
Article 9. The Masters of Ceremonies shall, under the orders of their superiors, take charge of matters concerning ceremonial functions and reception.
Article 10. The Secretaries shall, under the orders of their superiors, take charge of the affairs of the Office.
Article 11. The Technical Officials shall, under the orders of their superiors, take charge of technical affairs.
Article 12. Such bureaux, divisions or agencies as may be required may be established in the Imperial House Office, as provided by Government Ordinance.
Article 13. The Imperial House Office shall be under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister.
Supplementary Provision:
The Present Law shall come into force as from the day of the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan.