Japan's Government

        Japan’s present Constitution was drawn up by the Allied occupation forces and went into effect on May 3, 1947. This democratic Constitution completely changed the Japanese government. The country’s first Constitution gave ruling power to the emperor of Japan. The 1947 Constitution transferred that power to the Japanese people. It guaranteed the people human liberties, such as freedom of speech, of religion, of the press and of assembly. The Constitution provides for three branches of government. These are the legislative, executive and judicial. All Japanese citizens 20 years and older may vote. The 1947 Constitution granted women the right to vote.

        The diet makes Japan’s laws. It consists of two houses. The House of Representatives has 512 members. They are elected to four-year terms from electoral districts. The House of Councillors has 252 members. Half of the councillors are elected every three years to six-year terms. Of the councillors, 100 are elected from the country as a whole, and 152 are chosen from 47 political divisions called prefectures.

          The voters in each of Japan’s 47 prefectures elect a governor and an assembly. The prefectures are further divided into cities, towns and villages. The people in each of these smaller units elect a mayor and a local assembly.

          Japan has several political parties. The most successful is the Liberal-Democratic Party, a conservative party which has held more seats in the Diet than any other party since 1955. The LDP has traditionally represented rural areas and depended heavily on big business for financial support.

          Japan’s highest court consists of a chief justice and 14 other judges. The Cabinet names the chief Justice, who is then appointed by the emperor. The Cabinet appoints the other 14 judges. The Supreme Court is the final court in determining questions of constitutionality.

Welcome

Home

Introduction

History

Population

Agriculture

Fishing

Mining

Service Industries

Links

About Us