The current organization is the Imperial Guard Headquarters (Kouguu-Keisatsu Hombu, lit.

The Imperial Guard, which consisted of 12,000 men organized and trained along French military lines, first saw action in the Satsuma Rebellion.

All military Imperial Guard Divisions were dissolved at the end of World War II.

Lt Gen. Takuma Nishimura, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a British military court in relation to the Sook Ching killings, was later convicted of war crimes by an Australian Military Court in relation to the Parit Sulong massacre.

Prior to the general adoption of khaki by the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), an all-white linen uniform had been worn in hot weather.

The Infantry of the Imperial Guard wore a dark blue uniform with white leggings for both parade and service wear until 1905.

It was distinguished from that of the line infantry by a red band and piping on the peaked service cap (instead of yellow).

In the field, the army's standard khaki uniform was worn by all Imperial Guard units from 1905 to 1945.

In addition to their security duties, the Imperial Guard is responsible for fire-fighting within the grounds of the Palace, and maintains fire engines and trained staff for this.

They also wear white pistol belts, lanyards, helmets, boot laces or leggings.