GOVERNMENT

SYSTEM OF JAPANNovember 4, 2014

Background
Japanisaconstitutionalmonarchywitha
parliamentarygovernment.TheJapaneses
Constitutioncameintoforcein1947.Itwas
basedonthe3principles:sovereigntyofthe
people,respectforfundamentalhumanrights,
andrenunciation.Thereare3branchesof
government;thelegislative(theDiet),
executive(cabinet)andthejudicial(the
courts).

Judicial
Thepowerofthejudicialcourtcomefromthe
supremecourt.Thissupremecourtconsistsofa
chiefofjusticeandfourteenothermemberswhoare
alsoappointedbythecabinetofthesupremecourt.
Thisjudicialsystemcomesfromcustomarylaw,
civillawandtheAngloAmericancommonlaws.
CourtsinJapandonotuseaajurysystemsothe
decisionsaremadeinaccordancewithlegalsalutes.
ChiefofjusticeisappointedbytheEmperorof
Japan.

Legislative

CurrentEmperorofJapan.
Akihito

JapansLegislativebranchisconsideredthehighestorganof
statepower.ThelegislativebranchinJapansgovernmentis
calledtheDiet.Itisthehigheststatepowerandisthesolelaw
makingpartofJapan.Thereare480ofRepressseatsintheHouse
Representativeand242seatsintheHouseofCouncilors.Inthe
HouseofRepresentatives300areelectedfromsingleseat
constituenciesand180areelectedbytheproportional
representationsystem.Thetermofofficeis4years.InHouseof
Councilors96areelectedbytheproportionalrepresentation
systemand146areelectedfromthe47prefecturalconstituencies.
Theterminofficeis6years.Bothhouseshavethesamepower
excepttheHouseofrepresentationsprecedesthatofthehouseof
Councilorsindecisions.

Emperor
Under the constitution of Japan, the emperor is the symbol
of the state, and has no powers related to the
government. He performs only those ceremonial acts that
are stipulated in the constitution, such as awarding
honors- all on the advice and approval of the cabinet. He
was acceded to the throne on January 7, 1989.

Executive
Theexecutivebranchhasthecabinetwhich
consistsofthePrimeMinister.Tobecomea
PrimeMinisterinJapantheymustbeapartand
beamemberofthediet.ThePrimeministerhas
thepowerappointedtheministersstate.

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