Although the media and insatiable public curiosity can expose the private secrets of superstars, the Imperial family remains largely out of view.

Magazines and tabloids try to cover the little information available about the royals, especially Crown Princess Masako and her stress-related illness, but criticism of the family is still a taboo among most Japanese. Despite this, foreigners do not consider the Imperial family off limits and often compare its situation with that of Western royalty.

The following are basic facts about the emperor system and the Imperial family: