The Japanese Constitution of 1947.

Adopted on: 3 Nov 1946
Effective since: 3 May 1947

There is also the Japanese Meiji Constitution of 1889.

An English translation of the Constitution follows my notes.

Commentary and notes on the Constitution
These notes are my own. This, for the most part, compares and contrasts the current Japanese and American Constitutions. Historical information researched from www.biography.com and www.uni-wuerzburg.de.

History

The current constitution of Japan was created in 1946 under the orders of General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the occupying Allied forces in Japan after World War II. The Japanese government had originally set up two committees to modify the 1889 Meiji Constitution, but the changes these groups recommended were not enough to satisfy the Western powers. On 4 February 1946, MacArthur set up a group of 24 American lawyers, headed up by Charles Louis Kades, to draft a new constitution for Japan, modelling it on the American one. Five days later, the current Japanese Constitution emerged. The freedoms it guaranteed, including the right of workers to unionize, the equal political status of women, and the right to state-provided general education, shocked the Japanese political old guard. Shigeru Yoshida, the conservative Prime Minister at the time, was strongly opposed to the new constitution and withdrew his objection only at the order of Emperor Hirohito. The Consitution became effective 6 months after 3 Nov 1946, the day it was adopted.

Similarities/Differences with the American Constitution

Similarities:
The Japanese constitution guarantees almost all of the freedoms that the American one does. Freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, petition, and expression are all expressly listed as "irrevocable and inviolable rights." (Chapter III, Article 2, Section ii) It also creates a universal adult sufferage (III,15,iii), outlaws slavery (III,18,i) and torture (III,36,i), gurrantees the rights of the accused to a public and speedy trial(III,38,i-iii; IV,82,i), and prohibits ex post facto laws (III,39,i).

The consitution devotes an entire chapter (Chapter IV) to the creation and empowerment/restriction of a bicameral legislative body. This body, the Diet, consists of the House of Represenatives and the House of Councilors, which roughly parallel the American House and Senate. Represenatives sit for terms of 4 years, and Councilors have terms of 6 years. The realm of the Diet includes the budget, the passing of laws, impeachment, and investigations of the government.

The executive branch of Japanese government is called the Cabinet. The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and other Ministers of State. The Prime Minister is a member of the Diet, elected to that post by the rest of the Diet. The Prime Minister then appointed all other Ministers of State (V,67,i-iii; V,68,i-iii). The Cabinet has almost the exact same functions as the American executive branch.

Differences:
In addition to the similar freedoms found in both the American and Japanese constitutions, the 1947 Constitution of Japan lists quite a few more. Many of these freedoms are indicative of various elements of Japan's past, including its caste system, imperial history, and former attitudes toward personal freedoms. Some of these rights, which might seem strange to Americans, include academic freedom (III,23,i), the "freedom of thought and conscience" (III,19,i), the freedom to move and change professions (III,22,i), and the right of workers to unionize (III,28,i).

The constitution devotes the entirity of its first chapter to the emperor. It greatly limits the power of the emperor, a positition which used to carry the status of god and influence to match. The very first article in the constitution says that "The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State".(I,1,i) Later articles go on to bind the former god-powers of the emperor to the boundary of the law. Chapter I also gave the emperor several functions to perform "on behalf of the people;" these include:

1. Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders and treaties.
2. Convocation of the Diet.
3. Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
4. Proclamation of general election of members of the Diet.
5. Attestation of the appointment and dismissal of Ministers of State and other officials as provided for by law, and of full powers and credentials of Ambassadors and Ministers.
6. Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
7. Awarding of honors.
8. Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents as provided for by law.
9. Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
10. Performance of ceremonial functions.
I,7,i-x

The Japanese Supreme Court is quite different from its American counterpart. In the American system, Supreme Court justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate; they hold their positions for life. In Japan, Supreme Court judges are elected, and are subject to re-election every 10 years (VI,79,i-vi).

Probably the most significant difference between the Japanese and American Constitutions is Chapter II. This section forbids Japan from possessing any military forces that could be used for a war of agression and denies the state the right of agression; This does allow a homeland/waters defense force to be maintained, a force that was first introduced in 1956. Over the years, however, this section has been modified over the years to allow the Japanese government to participate in United Nations peacekeeping roles and to extend the range of the Self Defence Forces to include Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines.


Preamble

We, the Japanese people, acting through our elected representatives in the National Diet, determined that we should secure for ourselves and our posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all nations and the blessings of liberty all over this land, and resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government, do proclaim that sovereign power resides with the people and do firmly establish this Constitution. Government is a sacred trust of the people, the authority for which is derived from the people, the powers of which are exercised by the representatives of the people, and the benefits of which are enjoyed by the people. This is a universal principle of mankind upon which this Constitution is founded. We reject and revoke all constitutions, laws, ordinances, and rescripts in conflict herewith.

We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship, and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression, and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.

We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of political morality are universal; and that obedience to such laws is incumbent upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty and justify their sovereign relationship with other nations.

We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources.

Chapter I - The Emperor

Article 1 - Symbol of State
The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.

Article 2 - Dynastic Throne
The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.

Article 3 - Cabinet Approval and Responsibility
The advice and approval of the Cabinet shall be required for all acts of the Emperor in matters of state, and the Cabinet shall be responsible therefor.

Article 4 - Rule of Law for Emperor
(1) The Emperor shall perform only such acts in matters of state as are provided for in this Constitution and he shall not have powers related to government.
(2) The Emperor may delegate the performance of his acts in matters of state as may be provided by law.

Article 5 - Regency
(1) When, in accordance with the Imperial House Law, a Regency is established, the Regent shall perform his acts in matters of state in the Emperor's name.
(2) In this case, Article 4 (1) will be applicable.

Article 6 - Appointments
(1) The Emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as designated by the Diet.
(2) The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court as designated by the Cabinet.

Article 7 - Functions
The Emperor, with the advice and approval of the Cabinet, shall perform the following acts in matters of state on behalf of the people:
1. Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders and treaties.
2. Convocation of the Diet.
3. Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
4. Proclamation of general election of members of the Diet.
5. Attestation of the appointment and dismissal of Ministers of State and other officials as provided for by law, and of full powers and credentials of Ambassadors and Ministers.
6. Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
7. Awarding of honors.
8. Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents as provided for by law.
9. Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
10. Performance of ceremonial functions.

Article 8 - Property Authorization
No property can be given to, or received by, the Imperial House, nor can any gifts be made therefrom, without the authorization of the Diet.

Chapter II - Renunciation of War

Article 9
(1) Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, 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.
(2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained.
(3) The right of aggression of the state will not be recognized.

Chapter III - Rights and Duties of the People

Article 10 - Citizenship
The conditions necessary for being a Japanese national shall be determined by law.

Article 11 - Fundamental Human Rights
(1) The people shall not be prevented from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights.
(2) These fundamental human rights, guaranteed to the people by this Constitution, shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as irrevocable and inviolable rights.

Article 12 - Goal to Preserve Freedom and Rights
The freedoms and rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be maintained by the constant endeavor of the people, who shall refrain from any abuse of these freedoms and rights and shall always be responsible for utilizing them for the public welfare.

Article 13 - Individual Rights
(1) All of the people shall be respected as individuals.
(2) Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs.

Article 14 - No Discrimination and Privileges
(1) All of the people are equal under the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status, or family origin.
(2) Peers and peerage shall not be recognized.
(3) No privilege shall accompany any award of honor, decoration, or any distinction, nor shall any such award be valid beyond the lifetime of the individual who now holds or hereafter may receive it.

Article 15 - Electoral Rights
(1) The people have the inalienable right to choose their public officials and to dismiss them.
(2) All public officials are servants of the whole community and not of any group thereof.
(3) Universal adult suffrage is guaranteed with regard to the election of public officials.
(4) In all elections, secrecy of the ballot shall not be violated.
(5) A voter shall not be answerable, publicly or privately, for the choice he has made.

Article 16 - Right to Petition
Every person shall have the right to peacefully petition for the redress of damage, for the removal of public officials, for the enactment, repeal or amendment of laws, ordinances or regulations, and for other matters; nor shall any person be in any way discriminated against for sponsoring such a petition.

Article 17 - Recourse to the Courts
Every person may sue for redress as provided by law from the State or a public entity, in case he has suffered damage through illegal act of any public official.

Article 18 - Personal Freedom
No person shall be held in bondage of any kind. Involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime, is prohibited.

Article 19 - Freedom of Thought and Conscience
Freedom of thought and conscience shall not be violated.

Article 20 - Freedom of Religion, Secularity of the State
(1) Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all.
(2) No religious organization shall receive any privileges from the State, nor exercise any political authority.
(3) No person shall be compelled to take part in any religious act, celebration, rite or practice.
(4) The State and its organs shall refrain from religious education or any other religious activity.

Article 21 - Communicative Rights
(1) Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press, and all other forms of expression are guaranteed.
(2) No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of communication be violated.

Article 22 - Right to Move, Freedom of Profession
(1) Every person shall have freedom to choose and change his residence and to choose his occupation to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare.
(2) Freedom of all persons to move to a foreign country and to divest themselves of their nationality shall be inviolate.

Article 23 - Academic Freedom
Academic freedom is guaranteed.

Article 24 - Matrimonial Equality
(1) Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis.
(2) With regards to choice of spouse, property rights, inheritance, choice of domicile, divorce, and other matters pertaining to marriage and the family, laws shall be enacted from the standpoint of individual dignity and the essential equality of the sexes.

Article 25 - Welfare Rights
(1) All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living.
(2) In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health.

Article 26 - Right to Education, Compulsory Education
(1) All people shall have the right to receive an equal education correspondent to their ability, as provided by law.
(2) All people shall be obligated to have all boys and girls under their protection receive ordinary education as provided for by law.
(3) Such compulsory education shall be free.

Article 27 - Right and Obligation to Work, No Child Labor
(1) All people shall have the right and the obligation to work.
(2) Standards for wages, hours, rest, and other working conditions shall be fixed by law.
(3) Children shall not be exploited.

Article 28 - Unions
The right of workers to organize and to bargain and act collectively is guaranteed.

Article 29 - Property
(1) The right to own or to hold property is inviolable.
(2) Property rights shall be defined by law, in conformity with the public welfare.
(3) Private property may be taken for public use upon just compensation therefor.

Article 30 - Taxation
The people shall be liable to taxation as provided by law.

Article 31 - Due Process
No person shall be deprived of life or liberty, nor shall any other criminal penalty be imposed, except according to procedure established by law.

Article 32 - Recourse to the Courts
No person shall be denied the right of access to the courts.

Article 33 - Arrest
No person shall be apprehended except upon warrant issued by a competent judicial officer which specifies the offense with which the person is charged, unless he is apprehended, the offense being committed.

Article 34 - Detention
No person shall be arrested or detained without being at once informed of the charges against him or without the immediate privilege of counsel; nor shall he be detained without adequate cause; and upon demand of any person such cause must be immediately shown in open court in his presence and the presence of his counsel.

Article 35 - Search, Seizure
(1) The right of all persons to be secure in their homes, papers, and effects against entries, searches, and seizures shall not be impaired except upon warrant issued for adequate cause and particularly describing the place to be searched and things to be seized or except as provided by Article 33.
(2) Each search or seizure shall be made upon separate warrant issued by a competent judicial officer.

Article 36 - Torture
The infliction of torture by any public officer and cruel punishments are absolutely forbidden.

Article 37 - Trial
(1) In all criminal cases the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial tribunal.
(2) He shall be permitted full opportunity to examine all witnesses, and he shall have the right of compulsory process for obtaining witnesses on his behalf at public expenses.
(3) At all times the accused shall have the assistance of competent counsel who shall, if the accused is unable to secure the same by his own efforts, be assigned to his use by the State.

Article 38 - Rights of the Accused
(1) No person shall be compelled to testify against himself.
(2) Confession made under compulsion, torture, or threat, or after prolonged arrest or detention shall not be admitted in evidence.
(3) No person shall be convicted or punished in cases where the only proof against him is his own confession.

Article 39 - Nulla Poena Sine Lege, Double Jeopardy
No person shall be held criminally liable for an act which was lawful at the time it was committed, or of which he has been acquitted, nor shall he be placed in double jeopardy.

Article 40 - False Imprisonment
Any person, in case he is acquitted after he has been arrested or detained, may sue the State for redress as provided by law.

Chapter IV - The Diet

Article 41 - Legislative Power
The Diet shall be the highest organ of state power, and shall be the sole law-making organ of the State.

Article 42 - Two Houses
The Diet shall consist of two Houses, namely the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors.

Article 43 - Membership
(1) Both Houses shall consist of elected members, representative of all the people.
(2) The number of the members of each House shall be fixed by law.

Article 44 - Qualification
(1) The qualifications of members of both Houses and their electors shall be fixed by law.
(2) However, there shall be no discrimination because of race, creed, sex, social status, family origin, education, property, or income.

Article 45 - Term of Representatives
(1) The term of office of members of the House of Representatives shall be four years.
(2) However, the term shall be terminated before the full term is up in case the House of Representatives is dissolved.

Article 46 - Term of Councilors
The term of office of members of the House of Councilors shall be six years, and election for half the members shall take place every three years.

Article 47 - Electoral Procedure
Electoral districts, method of voting, and other matters pertaining to the method of election of members of both Houses shall be fixed by law.

Article 48 - Incompatibility
No person shall be permitted to be a member of both Houses simultaneously.

Article 49 - Remuneration
Members of both Houses shall receive appropriate annual payment from the national treasury in accordance with law.

Article 50 - Immunity
Except in cases provided by law, members of both Houses shall be exempt from apprehension while the Diet is in session, and any members apprehended before the opening of the session shall be freed during the term of the session upon demand of the House.

Article 51 - Indemnity
Members of both Houses shall not be held liable outside the House for speeches, debates, or votes cast inside the House.

Article 52 - Ordinary Sessions
An ordinary session of the Diet shall be convoked once per year.

Article 53 - Extraordinary Sessions
(1) The Cabinet may determine to convoke extraordinary sessions of the Diet.
(2) When a quarter or more of the total members of either House makes the demand, the Cabinet must determine on such convocation.

Article 54 - Election of Representatives
(1) When the House of Representatives is dissolved, there must be a general election of members of the House of Representatives within forty days from the date of dissolution, and the Diet must be convoked within thirty days from the date of the election.
(2) When the House of Representatives is dissolved, the House of Councilors is closed at the same time.
(3) However, the Cabinet may in time of national emergency convoke the House of Councilors in emergency session.
(4) Measures taken at such session as mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be provisional and shall become null and void unless agreed to by the House of Representatives within a period of ten days after the opening of the next session of the Diet.

Article 55 - Scrutiny
(1) Each House shall judge disputes related to qualifications of its members.
(2) However, in order to deny a seat to any member, it is necessary to pass a resolution by a majority of two-thirds or more of the members present.

Article 56 - Quorum
(1) Business cannot be transacted in either House unless one-third or more of total membership is present.
(2) All matters shall be decided, in each House, by a majority of those present, except as elsewhere provided in the Constitution and in case of a tie, the presiding officer shall decide the issue.

Article 57 - Publicity
(1) Deliberation in each House shall be public.
(2) However, a secret meeting may be held where a majority of two-thirds or more of those members present passes a resolution therefor.
(3) Each House shall keep a record of proceedings.
(4) This record shall be published and given general circulation, excepting such parts of proceedings of secret session as may be deemed to require secrecy.
(5) Upon demand of one-fifth or more of the members present, votes of the members on any matter shall be recorded in the minutes.

Article 58 - Presidents, Rules of Procedure
(1) Each House shall select its own president and other officials.
(2) Each House shall establish its rules pertaining to meetings, proceedings and internal discipline, and may punish members for disorderly conduct.
(3) However, in order to expel a member, a majority of two-thirds or more of those members present must pass a resolution thereon.

Article 59 - Legislative Proceedings
(1) A bill becomes a law on passage by both Houses, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution.
(2) A bill which is passed by the House of Representatives, and upon which the House of Councilors makes a decision different from that of the House of Representatives, becomes a law when passed a second time by the House of Representatives by the majority of two-thirds or more of the members present.
(3) The provision of the preceding paragraph does not preclude the House of Representatives from calling for the meeting of a joint committee of both Houses, provided for by law.
(4) Failure by the House of Councilors to take final action within sixty days after receipt of a bill passed by the House of Representatives, time in recess excepted, may be determined by the House of Representatives to constitute a rejection of the said bill by the House of Councilors.

Article 60 - Budget
(1) The budget must first be submitted to the House of Representatives.
(2) Upon consideration of the budget, when the House of Councilors makes a decision different from that of the House of Representatives, and when no agreement can be reached even through a joint committee of both Houses, provided for by law, or in the case of failure by the House of Councilors to take final action within thirty days, the period of recess excluded, after the receipt of the budget passed by the House of Representatives, the decision of the House of Representatives shall be the decision of the Diet.

Article 61 - Approving Treaties
Article 60 (2) applies also to the Diet approval required for the conclusion of treaties.

Article 62 - Investigations
Each House may conduct investigations in relation to government, and may demand the presence and testimony of witnesses and the production of records.

Article 63 - Ministerial Presence
(1) The Prime Minister and other Ministers of State may, at any time, appear in either House for the purpose of speaking on bills, regardless of whether they are members of the House or not.
(2) They must appear when their presence is required in order to give answers or explanations.

Article 64 - Impeachment Court
(1) The Diet shall set up an impeachment court from among the members of both Houses for the purpose of trying those judges against whom removal proceedings have been instituted.
(2) Matters relating to impeachment shall be provided by law.

Chapter V - The Cabinet

Article 65 - Executive Power
Executive power is vested in the Cabinet.

Article 66 - Membership, Responsibility
(1) The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, who shall be its head, and other Ministers of State, as provided for by law.
(2) The Prime Minister and other Ministers of State must be civilians.
(3) The Cabinet, in the exercise of executive power, shall be collectively responsible to the Diet.

Article 67 - Election of Prime Minister
(1) The Prime Minister shall be designated from among the members of the Diet by a resolution of the Diet.
(2) This designation shall precede all other business.
(3) If the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors disagree and if no agreement can be reached even through a joint committee of both Houses, provided for by law, or the House of Councilors fails to make designation within ten days, exclusive of the period of recess, after the House of Representatives has made designation, the decision of the House of Representatives shall be the decision of the Diet.

Article 68 - Appointment of Ministers
(1) The Prime Minister shall appoint the Ministers of State.
(2) However, a majority of their number must be chosen from among the members of the Diet.
(3) The Prime Minister may remove the Ministers of State as he chooses.

Article 69 - Impeachment of Government
If the House of Representatives passes a resolution of no confidence, or rejects a confidence resolution, the Cabinet shall resign altogether, unless the House of Representatives is dissolved within ten days.

Article 70 - Vacancy Resignation
When there is a vacancy in the post of Prime Minister, or upon the first convocation of the Diet after a general election of members of the House of Representatives, the Cabinet shall resign altogether.

Article 71 - Continuing Office
In the cases mentioned in the two preceding articles, the Cabinet shall continue its functions until the time when a new Prime Minister is appointed.

Article 72
The Prime Minister, representing the Cabinet, submits bills, reports on general national affairs and foreign relations to the Diet and exercises control and supervision over various administrative branches.

Article 73 - Function of Cabinet
The Cabinet, in addition to other general administrative functions, shall perform the following functions:
1. Administer the law faithfully; conduct affairs of state.
2. Manage foreign affairs.
3. Conclude treaties. However, it shall obtain prior or, depending on circumstances, subsequent approval of the Diet.
4. Administer the civil service, in accordance with standards established by law.
5. Prepare the budget, and present it to the Diet.
6. Enact cabinet orders in order to execute the provisions of this Constitution and of the law. However, it cannot include penal provisions in such cabinet orders unless authorized by such law.
7. Decide on general amnesty, special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.

Article 74 - Countersignature
All laws and cabinet orders shall be signed by the competent Minister of State and countersigned by the Prime Minister.

Article 75 - Preliminary Immunity
(1) The Ministers of State, during their tenure of office, shall not be subject to legal action without the consent of the Prime Minister.
(2) However, the right to take that action is not impaired hereby.

Chapter VI - Judiciary

Article 76 - Judicial Power
(1) The whole judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as are established by law.
(2) No extraordinary tribunal shall be established, nor shall any organ or agency of the Executive be given final judicial power.
(3) All judges are independent in the exercise of their conscience and bound only by this Constitution and the laws.

Article 77 - Judicial Procedure
(1) The Supreme Court is vested with the rule-making power under which it determines the rules of procedure and of practice and of matters relating to attorneys, the internal discipline of the courts and the administration of judicial affairs.
(2) Public procurators shall be subject to the rule-making power of the Supreme Court.
(3) The Supreme Court may delegate the power to make rules for inferior courts to such courts.

Article 78 - Public Impeachment
(1) Judges shall not be removed except by public impeachment unless judicially declared mentally or physically incompetent to perform official duties.
(2) No disciplinary action against judges shall be administered by any executive organ or agency.

Article 79 - Supreme Court
(1) The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Judge and such number of judges as may be determined by law; all such judges excepting the Chief Judge shall be appointed by the Cabinet.
(2) The appointment of the judges of the Supreme Court shall be reviewed by the people at the first general election of members of the House of Representatives following their appointment, and shall be reviewed again at the first general election of members of the House of Representatives after a lapse of ten years, and in the same manner thereafter.
(3) In cases mentioned in the preceding paragraph, when the majority of the voters favors the dismissal of a judge, he shall be dismissed.
(4) Matters pertaining to review shall be prescribed by law.
(5) The judges of the Supreme Court shall be retired upon the attainment of the ages as fixed by law.
(6) All such judges shall receive, at regular stated intervals, adequate compensation which shall not be decreased during their terms of office.

Article 80 - Term of Judges
(1) The judges of the inferior courts shall be appointed by the Cabinet from a list of persons nominated by the Supreme Court.
(2) All such judges shall hold office for a term of ten years with privilege of reappointment, provided that they shall be retired upon the attainment of the age as fixed by law.
(3) The judges of the inferior courts shall receive, at regular stated intervals, adequate compensation which shall not be decreased during their terms of office.

Article 81 - Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the court of last resort with power to determine the constitutionality of any law, order, regulation, or official act.

Article 82 - Public Trials
(1) Trials shall be conducted and judgment declared publicly.
(2) Where a court unanimously determines publicity to be dangerous to public order or morals, a trial may be conducted privately, but trials of political offenses, offenses involving the press, or cases wherein the rights of people as guaranteed in Chapter III of this Constitution are in question shall always be conducted publicly.

Chapter VII - Finance

Article 83 - National Finances
The power to administer national finances shall be exercised as the Diet shall determine.

Article 84 - Tax Laws
No new taxes shall be imposed or existing ones modified except by law or under such conditions as law may prescribe.

Article 85 - Budget Authorization
No money shall be expended, nor shall the State obligate itself, except as authorized by the Diet.

Article 86 - Yearly Budget
The Cabinet shall prepare and submit to the Diet for its consideration and decision a budget for each fiscal year.

Article 87 - Reserve Fund
(1) In order to provide for unforeseen deficiencies in the budget, a reserve fund may be authorized by the Diet to be expended upon the responsibility of the Cabinet.
(2) The Cabinet must get subsequent approval of the Diet for all payments from the reserve fund.

Article 88 - Imperial Household
(1) All property of the Imperial Household shall belong to the State.
(2) All expenses of the Imperial Household shall be appropriated by the Diet in the budget.

Article 89 - Secular Budget
No public money or other property shall be expended or appropriated for the use, benefit, or maintenance of any religious institution or association, or for any charitable, educational, or benevolent enterprises not under the control of public authority.

Article 90 - Board of Audit
(1) Final accounts of the expenditures and revenues of the State shall be audited annually by a Board of Audit and submitted by the Cabinet to the Diet, together with the statement of audit, during the fiscal year immediately following the period covered.
(2) The organization and competency of the Board of Audit shall be determined by law.

Article 91 - Cabinet Report
At regular intervals and at least annually the Cabinet shall report to the Diet and the people on the state of national finances.

Chapter VIII - Local Self-Government

Article 92 - Local Autonomy
Regulations concerning organization and operations of local public entities shall be fixed by law in accordance with the principle of local autonomy.

Article 93 - Local Assemblies
(1) The local public entities shall establish assemblies as their deliberative organs, in accordance with the law. (2) The chief executive officers of all local public entities, the members of their assemblies, and such other local officials as may be determined by law shall be elected by direct popular vote within their several communities.

Article 94 - Budget Autonomy
Local public entities shall have the right to manage their property, affairs, and administration and to enact their own regulations within law.

Article 95 - Veto for Local Laws
A special law, applicable only to one local public entity, cannot be enacted by the Diet without the consent of the majority of the voters of the local public entity concerned, obtained in accordance with law.

Chapter IX - Amendments

Article 96 - Qualified Majority, Referendum
(1) Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify.
(2) Amendments when so ratified shall immediately be promulgated by the Emperor in the name of the people, as an integral part of this Constitution.

Chapter X - Supreme Law

Article 97 - Inviolable Human Rights
The fundamental human rights by this this Constitution guaranteed to the people of Japan are fruits of the age-old struggle of man to be free; they have survived the many exacting tests for durability and are conferred upon this and future generations in trust, to be held for all time inviolable.

Article 98 - Unconstitutional Law
(1) This Constitution shall be the supreme law of the nation and no law, ordinance, imperial rescript or other act of government, or part thereof, contrary to the provisions hereof, shall have legal force or validity.
(2) The treaties concluded by Japan and established laws of nations shall be faithfully observed.

Article 99 - Binding for all Powers
The Emperor or the Regent as well as Ministers of States, members of the Diet, judges, and all other public officials have the obligation to respect and uphold this Constitution.

Chapter XI - Supplementary Provisions

Article 100 - Enforcement
(1) This Constitution shall be enforced as from the day when the period of six months will have elapsed counting from the day of its promulgation.
(2) The enactment of laws necessary for the enforcement of this Constitution, the election of members of the House of Councilors and the procedure for the convocation of the Diet and other preparatory procedures necessary for the enforcement of this Constitution may be executed before the day prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

Article 101 - Preliminary Diet
If the House of Councilors is not constituted before the effective date of this Constitution, the House of Representatives shall function as the Diet until such time as the House of Councilors shall be constituted.

Article 102 - Half Term
(1) The term of office for half the members of the House of Councilors serving in the first term under this Constitution shall be three years.
(2) Members falling under this category shall be determined in accordance with law.

Article 103 - Election of Successors
(1) The Ministers of State, members of the House of Representatives, and judges in office on the effective date of this Constitution, and all other public officials who occupy positions corresponding to such positions as are recognized by this Constitution shall not forfeit their positions automatically on account of the enforcement of this Constitution unless otherwise specified by law.
(2) When, however, successors are elected or appointed under the provisions of this Constitution, they shall forfeit their positions as a matter of course.

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