Imperial Guard (Japan)

In Japan, the Imperial Guard is the name for two separate organizations dedicated to the protection of the Emperor of Japan and the Imperial Family, palaces and other imperial properties. The first was the Imperial guard divisions (Konoe Shidan), a quasi-independent elite branch of the Imperial Japanese Army which was dissolved shortly after World War II. The second is the Imperial Guard Headquarters (Kouguu-Keisatsu Hombu, lit. Imperial Palace Police Headquarters), a civilian law enforcement organization formed as part of the National Police Agency. (警察庁)