Members of the House of Councillors steering committee on Friday listened to independent lawmaker Taro Yamamoto who, in a rare breach of protocol, handed a letter directly to Emperor Akihito the previous day at an autumn garden party hosted by the emperor and Empress Michiko.Members of the House of Councillors steering committee on Friday listened to independent lawmaker Taro Yamamoto who, in a rare breach of protocol, handed a letter directly to Emperor Akihito the previous day at an autumn garden party hosted by the emperor and Empress Michiko.