Chancellor / Chief Minister Daijō-daijin Minister of the Right Udaijin Major Counselor Dainagon | Minister of the Left Sadaijin Minister of the Center Naidaijin Middle Counselor Chūnagon | |
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The Naidaijin (内大臣), usually translated as Inner Minister—also known as the Minister of the Center (内大臣, uchi no otodo)—was a significant post in the Imperial Court as re-organized under the Taihō Code.
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Pre-Meiji period official
The role, rank and authority of the naidaijin varied, however, throughout pre-Meiji history.
In the ritsuryō system, the Minister of the Center was inferior only to the Minister of the Left and the Minister of the Right.
Meiji period official
The office developed a different character in the Meiji period. In 1885, the title was reconfigured to mean the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan in the Imperial Court. In that year, the office of prime minister or chief minister of the initial restoration government was the Daijō-daijin, Sanjō Sanetomi. In December, Sanjō petitioned the emperor to be relieved of his office; and he was then immediately appointed Naidaijin, or Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
The office of the Privy Seal was identical with the old Naidaijin only in the sense of the Japanese title—not in terms of function or powers.
Post-Meiji period official
The nature of the office evolved in the Taishō and Shōwa periods. The title was abolished on November 24, 1945.