By the decree of the former Imperial House Act, any male member of the Imperial family who reached the age of majority (18 for the crown prince or the son of the crown prince, 20 for other members of the Imperial family) became a councilor on the Imperial Family Council, a body consulted by the emperor on matters regarding the Imperial household.
旧皇室典範により、成年（皇太子・皇太孫は満18歳。その他の皇族は満20歳。）に達した皇族の男子は、皇室内の事項について天皇の諮詢を受ける皇族会議の議員となった。