The Imperial House , also referred to as the Imperial Family and the House of Yamato, is the imperial family of Japan, consisting of those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Other members of the Imperial Family perform ceremonial and social duties, but have no role in the affairs of government. The duties as an emperor are passed down the line to their male children. This Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
The Japanese Imperial Family tree as of February 2022
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako with some of the other members of the imperial family, 2021
Members of the Imperial Family show themselves to the general public during celebrations for the new emperor's enthronement. Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are not present (4 May 2019).
Princess Mako (left) forwent a one-off million-dollar payment given to imperial women upon leaving the Imperial Family
A royal family is the immediate family of kings/queens, emirs/emiras, sultans/sultanas, or raja/rani and sometimes their extended family.
The Royal Family of France in classical costume during the reign of Louis XIV.
Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and other members of the Brazilian imperial family in Rio de Janeiro, 1887
