The was an administrative post not of Cabinet rank in the government of the Empire of Japan, responsible for being a direct, personal advisor to the emperor, and keeping the Privy Seal of Japan and State Seal of Japan among other things.
The modern office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal was identical to the old Naidaijin only in name and should not be confused. The office was abolished in 1945 after World War II.
History
Meiji period The modern office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal was formed in 1885 after the Meiji government established the Japanese cabinet; however, the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal was separate from the cabinet and acted as a direct, personal advisor to the Emperor. He was also responsible for the administration of imperial documents such as rescripts and edicts. Petitions to the emperor and the court were also handled by the Lord Keeper's office, as well as the responses.
In 1907, the post was expanded to become the with a chief secretary, three secretaries, and six assistants to handle the increased workload with the passing of the genrō.
Shōwa period After the start of Emperor Hirohito's reign in 1925, the office and position of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal became increasingly important, at the expense of the office of the Prime Minister. Political infighting within the Diet of Japan further boosted the power of the Lord Keeper. The holder of this position could strictly control who was allowed to have an audience with the emperor and the flow of information.
The position and the office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal were officially abolished on 24 November 1945.http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/glossary.html National Diet Library | Office of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
Today, the seals are kept in the care of the Chamberlain of Japan.
List of officeholders † died in office.
Portrait Name Term start Term end Sanjō Sanetomi三条 実美 22 December 1885 18 February 1891† Tokudaiji Sanetsune徳大寺 実則 21 February 1891 12 August 1912 Katsura Tarō桂 太郎 21 August 1912 21 December 1912 Prince Fushimi Sadanaru伏見宮 貞愛親王 21 December 1912 13 January 1915 Ōyama Iwao大山 巌 23 April 1915 10 December 1916† Matsukata Masayoshi松方 正義 2 May 1917 18 September 1922 Hirata Tōsuke平田 東助 19 September 1922 30 March 1925 Makino Nobuaki牧野 伸顕 30 March 1925 26 February 1935 Saitō Makoto斎藤 実 26 February 1935 26 February 1936† Yuasa Kurahei湯浅 倉平 6 March 1936 1 June 1940 Kido Kōichi木戸 幸一 1 June 1940 24 November 1945
See also Lord Privy Seal Keeper of the Seals
Notes
References Takenobu, Yoshitaro. (1928). The Japan Yearbook; Complete Cyclopaedia of General Information and Statistics on Japan and Japanese Territories. Tokyo: The Japan Year Book Office. OCLC 145151778
External links National Archives of Japan ...Click link for photograph of meeting of Privy Counsel (1946) Article on the abolishment of the position of Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from Japanese Press Translations