Higashikuni Imperial Prince Naruhiko was known for often saying since he was young that he wished to leave his position in the Imperial Family, he also asked Emperor Showa to approve him ceasing to be a member of the Imperial Family, he made his intention clear just after he resigned as Prime Minister in 1945, he also mentioned to it to the media and asked other Imperial members to follow him, and once the Department of the Imperial Household had to make sudden announcement to deny it.
東久邇宮稔彦王は、若いころからしばしば皇族の身分を離れたいと発言してきたことで知られているが、1945年（昭和20年）に内閣総理大臣を辞任した直後にも、自らの臣籍降下を昭和天皇に願い出ており、さらにそのことをマスコミに語り、他の皇族も自分にならうことを求めたために、宮内省があわてて否定の声明を出す一幕もあった。