Japan is an island nation located in East Asia. It has a multi-party parliamentary democracy with an emperor as the ceremonial head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. Japan has a bicameral legislative body called the National Diet consisting of the lower House of Representatives and upper House of Councillors. Executive power is held by the Cabinet headed by the prime minister. Japan has experienced numerous periods of isolation and expansion over its history and was occupied by Allied forces after World War 2, since which it has emerged as an economic power with a liberal democratic system of government.

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Post author By Charlie April 15, 2021
The Government System of Japan
theweeklyrambler.com/the-government-system-of-japan/
Japan is an island nation located in East
Asia within the northwest Pacific Ocean,
more specifically Japan’s coasts touch
the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, the
Philippine Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk,
nearby countries include North and
South Korea, China, Taiwan and Russia.
Japan is made up of five main islands
and over 6,800 smaller islands,
although only around 430 of these are
inhabited. The largest and most
populous island and which is considered
the mainland is Honshu, the other four
main islands are Hokkaido, Shikoku,
Kyushu, and Okinawa. The capital
Tokyo is located on Honshu, sitting on
the Tokyo Bay which leads into the
Pacific Ocean.
As Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire it is very susceptible to earthquakes, the majority
of which are minor and cause little problem, although from time-to-time Japan
experiences serious earthquakes that can also cause tsunamis, one of the worst
earthquakes and tsunamis to date happened in 2011. Japan also has very little natural
resources and so largely relies on world trade.
Japan has been inhabited since at least 30,000 BC by a Paleolithic Culture, from around
14,500 BC, the start of the Jomon Period, there emerged a hunter-gatherer culture known
for pit dwelling and rudimentary agriculture, Yayoi People intermingled with them from
around 1,000 BC who introduced wet-rice farming, new pottery practice, and metallurgy
brought from Korea and China. Legend claims that the grandson of the sun goddess
Amaterasu – Emperor Jimmu – founded a kingdom in central Japan in 660 BC,
beginning the imperial dynasty that still exists today.
Japan first appears in written history within the Chinese Book of Han. Buddhism was first
introduced to Japan from the Korean Kingdom of Baekje in 552 AD, although Japanese
Buddhism was more greatly influenced by Chinese practices. There was resistance against
the new religion in Japan at first, but the help of its promotion by the ruling class
eventually led to widespread acceptance from the Asuka Period.

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The 645 Taika Reforms nationalized all land in Japan, and set rules to distribute it equally
among all cultivators, and a new system of taxation was developed via a household
registry. The 672 Jinshin War played a role in further reforms, bringing in the Taiho
Code, establishing structure of central and subordinate local governments, creating
a ritsuryo state of Chinese-style centralized government.
The Nara Period from 710 to 784 saw the appearance of nascent literary culture and
development of Buddhist inspired artwork and architecture. Also, during this time, a
smallpox epidemic is thought to have killed as much as one-third of the Japanese
population. The Nara Period ended when Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-
kyo (modern Kyoto), starting the Heian Period which saw in the development of a
distinctly indigenous Japanese culture.
During Japan’s feudal era the samurai emerged, a ruling class of warriors who’d become a
dominating force in Japan over the Imperial Dynasty During this time a civil war called
the Genpei War led to the defeat of the Taira clan, and the samurai Minamoto no
Yoritomo established a military government and became the first shogun of the Kamakura
shogunate, which successfully repelled two Mongol invasions with the help of mother
nature. But the Kamakura shogunate would be overthrown by Emperor Go-Daigo
bringing in a short-lived period of Kenmu Restoration that saw the Imperial Dynasty
brought back to true power.
Go-Daigo was overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji who established a new Shogunate, starting
the Muromachi Period, but the shogunate was unable to control feudal warlords, known
as daimyos, leading to a century-long period of almost constant civil wars known as the
Sengoku Period, the 16 Century saw contact with Europeans, specifically Portuguese
traders and Jesuit missionaries. This gave access to European technology and firearms,
which allowed the daimyo Oda Nobunaga to conquer many rival daimyos and consolidate
power, known as the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.
Nobunaga’s successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi went on to unify the nation in the early 1590s
and also launched two invasions of Korea, both of which failed. His
son Toyotomi Hideyori was designated as his successor, but being too young
Tokugawa leyasu served as regent but exploited the position for his own political and
military gain, leading to war breaking out with Toyotomi loyalists, which were defeated by
Tokugawa who became a shogun (starting the Edo Period) and stamping the last of his
resistance by 1615 ending the Sengoku Period.
The Tokugawa Shogunate enacted measures to control autonomous daimyos and
implemented isolationist policies that would span two and half centuries. Japan went
through a strong economic period during this time, which saw the creation of roads and
water transportation routes, and creation of financial instruments, banking, and
insurance. Study of the West continued via contact with the Dutch enclave that existed in
Nagasaki at the time. This period also saw a greater focus on the study of Japan by the
Japanese, known as Kokugaku.
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Japan’s isolationist period would come to an end in 1854 when the United States Navy
forced Japan’s opening to the outside world via the Convention of Kanagawa, signed by
Japan under threat of force. Further treaties with other Western powers followed this
which caused Japan to enter into economic and political crises. Amongst the chaos was
the resignation of the shogun causing the Boshin War which led to the establishment of a
centralized state nominally unified under the Emperor, which became known as the Meiji
Restoration, bringing an end to Shogunates.
Western-styled political, judicial, and military institutions were adopted as well as a Privy
Council to advise the Emperor and ultimately adoption of the Meiji Constitution, and
creation of the imperial legislature. This Meiji Period saw the emergence of the Empire of
Japan and became one of the most developed nations in Asia. The Empire of Japan
sought military conquest to expand its influence and access to resources. The First Sino-
Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War saw Japan take control of Taiwan, Korea, and
the southern half of Sakhalin. During this period Japan’s population doubled and became
much more urbanized.
There was a short period of democracy from 1912 to 1926 which was mostly
overshadowed by Japan’s expansionism and militarization. During World War I Japan
joined the side of the Allies so that it could capture German possessions in the Pacific and
China. From the 1920s there was a political shift in Japan towards extreme right-wing
ideologies, there were laws passed against political dissent and some attempted coups.
The moves towards the far-right only increased in the 1930s with the emergence of radical
nationalist groups who wanted further expansion in Asia and an end to democracy.
Japan invaded and occupied Manchuria in 1931, which led to international condemnation
and Japan’s exit from the League of Nations, which had been created following World
War I in an attempt to avoid another major war through international cooperation. Japan
signed an Anti-Cominterm Pact with Nazi Germany in 1936, and would later join the Axis
Powers during World War II via signing the Tripartite Pact.
The Empire of Japan invaded more of China in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese
War, which would go on through until the end of the 2 World War. During the war
Japan invaded French Indochina, which caused the US to place an oil embargo on Japan.
Japan responded by carrying out a surprise attack on the US naval base of Pearl Harbour
in 1941 in an attempt to knock out its Pacific Fleet, allowing them to militarily expand
without the risk of US involvement, although the attack was devastating a number of
strategic flaws in the attack meant that the US Pacific Fleet would be up and running
again, as Japan would soon find out.
Following the attack Japan started a mass military expansion in Asia, occupying
numerous territories throughout the Pacific, and also committed many civilian atrocities.
But Allied victories during World War II would lead to Japan’s unconditional surrender
following the Soviet invasion of Manchuria and the dropping of two Atomic Bombs by the
US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of civilians, the bombings
remain controversial until this day on whether they were necessary.
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Japan lost its colonies and other World War II gains, which were liberated by the Allies,
and Japanese settlers were repatriated, and Japan was effectively occupied by Allied
forces, namely the US. Japanese leaders were prosecuted for war crimes by the Allies and
the Empire of Japan came to an end, although the country still maintains an Emperor as
Head of State. Japan adopted a new constitution that established liberal democracy and
forced them to not maintain armed forces for the purpose of war, the Allied occupation
ended via the Treaty of San Francisco in 1952. Following this Japan found renewed
economic success and propelled to the 2 largest economy, the economic success
stagnated from the mid-1990s due to an asset price bubble pop.
During WW2 the Soviet Union took the Kuril Islands from Japan which are still held by
Russia today but continue to be claimed by Japan.
The national language is Japanese and the country’s largest religion is Shintoism followed
closely by Buddhism, the country’s currency is the Japanese yen, and the country’s
population is over 126,180,730, but it is declining due to a low birth rate, leading to Japan
currently facing an aging demographics problem.
Government Type
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The Imperial Crest, now used as the Japanese Government emblem.
Japan is a multi-party parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy
with an Emperor who is Head of State with the position being ceremonial and a Prime
Minister who is Head of Government and seen as the main leadership figure of the
country and who, along with the Cabinet, holds the executive power.
Japan’s legislative government is a bicameral one called the National Diet and is made up
of a House of Representatives which is the lower primary chamber and the House
of Councillors which is the upper chamber.
Article 9 of the constitution states that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a
sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling
international disputes. As such land, sea, and air forces, as well as any other war potential,
will never be maintained. Right of belligerency of the state will never be recognised.
Despite the above Japan does maintain armed Defense forces, but such forces as the name
suggests are only allowed to be used for Japan’s national defense and security from
external threats. The Prime Minister is the Commander-in-Chief of this force.

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Monarchy and Executive Government
Tokyo Imperial Palace, main residence of the Emperor. Photo by Kakidai from Wikimedia
Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source.
The ruling monarch is an Emperor who is the Head of State and who is mostly
ceremonial. The position of Emperor is hereditary and succession is laid out under the
Imperial House Law which was passed by the country’s legislature.
All acts made by the Emperor that relate to matters of State must be taken on advice or
with the approval of the governing Cabinet, as such actions taken by the Emperor in this
are the responsibility of the Cabinet. The Emperor may only perform acts allowed under
the constitution and cannot have powers that relate to Government.
Regency may be established under the Imperial House Law when the successor is not yet
of age.
Duties of the Emperor
The Emperor appoints the position of Prime Minister as is designated by the country’s
legislature following parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister will typically be the
leading individual of the largest party or coalition.
The Emperor appoints the Chief Judge of the country’s Supreme Court as designated by
the governing Cabinet.
The Emperor promulgates laws passed by the legislature, Cabinet orders, and treaties.
The Emperor convokes the country’s legislature.

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The Emperor dissolves the House of Representatives (lower chamber) and proclaims
general elections for the legislature, either for regularly scheduled elections or on advice
of the Cabinet for early elections.
Attestation of appointments and dismissals of Ministers of State and any other officials
provided by law, and of full powers and credentials of ambassadors and Ministers.
Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and
restoration of rights. And attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic
documents as provided for by law.
Receives foreign ambassadors and ministers.
Prime Minister and Executive Government
Executive power is vested within the Cabinet, which is the highest executive decision-
making body. The body consists of the Prime Minister who heads it and the Ministers of
State. They are collectively responsible to the National Diet (country’s parliament) and
must maintain confidence of the parliament to remain in power, as such if a non-
confidence resolution is passed or if a confidence resolution is rejected then the Prime
Minister and Cabinet must collectively resign, or within 10-days decide on dissolving the
House of Representatives for early elections.
The Prime Minister appoints the Ministers of State a majority of which must be appointed
from within the country’s parliament. The Prime Minister can remove Ministers of State
from their positions.
The Prime Minister must submit bills, reports on general national affairs and foreign
relations to the country’s Parliament. The Prime Minister exercises control and
supervision over various administrative branches.
More specifically it is the job of the Cabinet to faithfully administer the law; conduct
affairs of state; manage foreign affairs; conclude treaties with approval from Parliament;
administer the civil service; prepare and present the national budget to the Parliament;
enact cabinet orders to execute provisions of constitution and the law, inclusion of penal
provisions in such orders requires authorization by law; decisions of special amnesty,
general amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
Supreme Court judges are appointed by the Cabinet. Appointments of Supreme Court
judges are reviewed by the people at the first general election of members of the House of
Representatives following the judge/s appointment, and are reviewed again at the first
general election of members of the House of Representatives after lapse of 10 years, and
in same manner thereafter. When majority of voters favour dismissal of the judge, the
judge in question shall be dismissed.
Judges of inferior courts are appointed by the Cabinet from a list provided by the
Supreme Court, they hold office for 10-years and may be re-appointed unless they have
reached a fixed-retirement age as prescribed by law.

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To have effect all cabinet orders are signed by the competent Minister of State and then
countersigned by the Prime Minister.
The Legislative Government
Meeting place of Japan’s National Diet. Photo by Wiiii from Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA
3.0. Source.
The Legislative Government is called the National Diet and include the House of
Representatives the lower and primary chamber, and the House of Councillors which is
the upper chamber. The main job of the legislature as always is to legislate, which means
having laws introduced, debating and possibly amending laws, and either passing or
rejecting such legislation. Bills travel through both Houses to become law, the bill if
changed in one House must be sent back to the originating House who shall accept or
reject such changes.
The constitution says that a bill passed by the House of Representatives that is changed in
the House of Councillors will then require a two-thirds special majority to be passed into
law by the House of Representatives.
A joint-committee between the members of both Houses can be called if there is deadlock
over agreement on a piece of legislation.
The National Budget, introduced by the Government to the House of Representatives, will
travel through both Houses. If no agreement can be reached between both Houses, even
via a joint-committee, or if the House of Councillors fails to make a decision on the
Budget within 30-days, then by default the Budget passes via the decision of the House of
Representatives, overruling the House of Councillors. This is also the case for treaties.

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Much of the operations of the National Diet are fixed by law rather than by the
constitution. Both the House of Representatives and House of Councillors have a number
of committees that serve various functions within each, such as focusing on specific
legislative areas.
The number of members of each chamber is also fixed by law. Expelling a member
requires a two-thirds majority to be in agreement in either House.
Extraordinary sessions of the parliament can be summoned by the Cabinet. When a
quarter or more of members of either House makes for such a demand, the Cabinet must
determine such convocation. Such sessions are for a matter of great importance or
urgency.
Both Houses have the power to conduct investigations in relation to Government, and can
demand presence and testimony of witnesses, and production of records.
The Prime Minister and Ministers may at any time appear in either House, whether
members of them or not, for purpose of speaking on bills. They must also appear when
their presence is requested to give answers or explanations.
When removal proceedings have begun against a judge the Parliament shall set up an
impeachment court that consists of members from both Houses for trying those Judges.
House of Representatives
Currently the House of Representatives has 465 members.
A Speaker and Vice-Speaker are elected from among the members of the House of
Representatives to be presiding officers, such represent the House in an impartial
manner, regulate orderly debate, and make sure internal rules are abided. The Speaker
has a vote whenever there is a tie.
During the time that the House of Representatives is dissolved, the House
of Councillors will also be closed. It is possible for the governing Cabinet during this time
if required due to national emergency, to legislate via the House of Councillors in a
convoked emergency session. All such measures taken under this are provisional and will
become null and void unless it is agreed to by the House of Representatives within of
period of 10-days after the opening of the next session of the Parliament.
House of Councillors
Currently the House of Councillors has 245 members.
The presiding officers in the House of Councillors are the President and Vice-President of
the House of Councillors elected from among the members of that House. The President
has a casting vote whenever there is a tie.
The Electoral System

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Image in the Public Domain.
Parliamentary elections for the House of Representatives take place every 4-years, the
system used is a mix of first-past-the-post from single seat constituencies which requires
only a simple majority for a candidate to win, while the rest are elected via a party-list
proportional representative system from multi-seat constituencies where parties that
receive a certain threshold of the votes are guaranteed seats. Currently 289 members are
elected via FPTP while 176 are elected via PR.

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Members of the House of Councillors serve 6-year terms but they are staggered so that
half of members are elected every 3-years. Again, its elections use a mix of FPTP and PR
the same as the lower chamber, for the House of Councillors 147 members are elected via
FPTP while 98 are elected via PR.
After elections of the House of Representatives have taken place, it shall nominate
someone for the position of Prime Minister, the House of Councillors will also vote on
acceptance of the nominee but if they disagree it is possible for the House of
Representatives to overrule them. The Emperor then appoints the designated nominee as
Prime Minister.
Qualifications required for both Houses are set by law. Electoral districts, methods of
voting, and all other matters pertaining to election of members of the Houses are fixed by
law. No one person can hold membership of both Houses at the same time.
Sources
The source for this post comes from Japan’s 1946 constitution (constituteproject.org) and
so should be as up to date as possible but remember to keep in mind that it is possible, I
may have made some mistakes or misinterpreted some things and missed other things
and also the constitution can be changed and so this may eventually become outdated, as
such if using this in a serious capacity cross-research is recommended.
Amendments to the constitution are introduced by the country’s parliament, through
concurring vote of at least two-thirds or more of both Houses and will then be submitted
to a national referendum or such election as decided by the Parliament, which requires a
majority of all votes cast to adopt the changes. Amendments adopted are then
promulgated by the Emperor.
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