Chapter IV.—Styles of Address.
Article XVII.—The style of address for the Emperor, the Grand Empress-Dowager, the Empress-Dowager, and of the Empress, shall be His, Her, or Your Majesty.
Article XVIII.—The Kotaison and his consort, the Imperial Princes and their consorts, the Imperial Princesses, the Princes and their consorts, and the Princesses, shall be styled His, Her, Their, or Your Highness, or Highnesses.
Chapter V.—Regency.
Article XIX.—When the Emperor is a minor, a Regency shall be instituted. When he is prevented by some permanent cause from personally governing, a Regency shall be instituted, with the advice of the Imperial Family Council and with that of the Privy Council.
Article XX.—The Regency shall be assumed by the Kotaishi or the Kotaison, they being of age.
Article XXI.—When there is neither Kotaishi or Kotaison, or when the Kotaishi or Kotaison has not arrived at his majority, the Regency shall be assumed in the following order:
- An Imperial Prince or a Prince.
- The Empress.
- The Empress-Dowager.
- The Grand Empress-Dowager.
- An Imperial Princess or a Princess.
Article XXII.—In case the Regency is to be be assumed from among the male members of the Imperial Family, it shall be done in agreement with the order of succession to the Imperial Throne. The same shall apply to the case of female members of the Imperial Family.
Article XXIII.—A female member of the Imperial Family to assume the Regency shall only be one who has no consort.
Article XXIV.—When, on account of the minority of the nearest related member of the Imperial Family, or for some other cause, another member has to assume the Regency, the latter shall not, upon the arrival at majority of the above-mentioned nearest related member, or upon the disappearance of the aforesaid cause, resign his or her post in favor of any person other than of the Kotaishi or Kotaison.
Article XXV.—When a Regent, or one who should become such, is suffering from an incurable disease of mind or body, or when any other weighty cause exists therefor, the order of the Regency may be changed, with the advice of the Imperial Family Council and that of the Privy Council.
