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The main entrance and central tower of the Diet building (left).
Built in 1936, it is located in Nagatacho, central Tokyo. The
late prime minister Obuchi Keizo (right, 1937-2000) was once described
as being like 'cold pizza'. But the bland politician, who served
from 1998 until his untimely death from a stroke, enjoyed surprising
poularity even among young people. In the election held shortly
after Obuchi's death, his vacant seat was contested and won by
his 26-year old daughter, Yuko. This kind of inherited political
power is very prevalent in Japan. |
Japan's Political System
The Kokkai (Diet) is divided into the Sangi-in (lower
chamber or House of Councillors) whose members serve
a six-year term - half of the members are elected every three
years - and the Shugi-in (upper chamber or House
of Representatives) whose members are elected
to a four-year term. The Sangi-in has 247 members, 149 members in multi-seat
constituencies and 98 by proportional representation.The Shugi-in has 480
members, 300 members in single-seat constituencies and 180 members by
proportional representation in 11 regional blocs.
Executive power is vested solely in the naikaku (cabinet), which
consists of the sori daijin (prime minister) and not more than 15
daijin (ministers of state) and is collectively responsible to the Diet.
This means that, when requested, they must attend sessions of
both houses and their committees to answer questions on government
policy. Question Time, a feature of the British parliament, was
recently introduced to the Diet.
The prime minister has the power to appoint and dismiss the ministers
of state, a majority of whom must also be members of the Diet
(non-Diet members are rare). Ministerial posts are usually divided
up between the different factions or coalition partners in an
effort to keep everybody happy. In an effort to curb militarism,
the constitution includes the requirement that all ministers must
be civilians. Following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or leader of a majority coalition in the House
of Representatives usually becomes prime minister. In the case
of the dominant LDP, the party president was routinely chosen.
Recently, with the many factions within the party, the choice
of prime minister has often been the result of a lot of behind-the-scenes
power-broking.
Until recent years, the government framework was made up of the Prime
Minister's Office, 12 ministeries and 10 agencies. The system
was revised in January 2001 in an attempt to increase efficiency
and strengthen political control over decision making. Under the
revised system, the structure now consists of the Cabinet Office,
10 ministries and 2 agencies. The ministries are: Justice; Foreign
Affairs; Finance (Japanese name changed from Okurasho to Zaimusho
); Education, Science and Technology; Health, Labour and Welfare;
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Economy, Trade and Industry;
Construction and Transport; Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts
and Telecommunications (whew!); and Environment (upgraded from
an agency).
If the House of Representatives passes a resolution of nonconfidence
or rejects a resolution of confidence in the Government, the cabinet
must resign unless the House of Representatives is dissolved within
10 days.
The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court. The chief
justice is appointed by the emperor after designation
by the cabinet and all other justices are appointed by the cabinet.
Regional Administration
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, and
local administration is conducted at the levels of prefectural,
city, town, and village governments, each with their respective
assemblies. The prefectural governors and city, town, and village
mayors, as well as the members of the local assemblies, are elected
by the voters registered to be residing in the particular district.
Local governments employ over 3 million people, including about
a million teachers and quarter of a million police officers.
Some regional leaders enjoy national recognition, particularly when they
enter politics from the entertainemnt business. Famous recent examples include:
- Ishihara Shintaro, governor of Tokyo. A famous author, he is the brother of
the legendary actor Ishihara Yujiro. Often cited as the man many people think
should have been prime minister, he never pursued his ambitions all the way. Read
his profile.
- Higashikokubaru Hideo, governor of Miyazaki. A former comedian with something
of a reputation as a playboy, he proved surprisingly effective as governor of a
relatively obscure part of the country. He made good use of his high profile to
bring media attention and business to his voters.
- Hashimoto Toru, governor of Osaka. A successful family lawyer and famously
the father of seven children, he was a popular and outspoken figure on the variety
show circuit. He was elected governor on a platform of youthful energy and reform.
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Related pages: Japan's Political Parties | Prime Ministers
The Constitution of Japan (on the website of Mizuho Securities)
Official Government websites:
Prime Minister's Official Residence
House of Representatives
House of Councillors
Supreme Court
National Diet Library
National Archives of Japan
Cabinet Office
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
Ministry of the Environment
Defense Agency
National Public Safety Commission (Japanese only)
National Police Agency
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