I rejoice that the foundation for the construction of a new Japan has been
laid according to the will of the Japanese people, and hereby sanction and
promulgate the amendments of the Imperial Japanese Constitution effected
following the consultation with the Privy Council and the decision of the
Imperial Diet made in accordance with Article 73 of the said Constitution.
Signed : HIROHITO, Seal of the Emperor
This third day of the eleventh month of the twenty-first year of Showa
(November 3, 1946)
Countersigned :
Prime Minister and concurrently
Minister for Foreign Affairs YOSHIDA Shigeru
Minister of State Baron SHIDEHARA Kijuro
Minister of Justice KIMURA Tokutaro
Minister for Home Affairs OMURA Seiichi
Minister of Education TANAKA Kotaro
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry WADA Hiroo
Minister of State SAITO Takao
Minister of Communications HITOTSUMATSU Sadayoshi
Minister of Commerce and Industry HOSHIJIMA Niro
Minister of Welfare KAWAI Yoshinari
Minister of State UEHARA Etsujiro
Minister of Transportation HIRATSUKA Tsunejiro
Minister of Finance ISHIBASHI Tanzan
Minister of State KANAMORI Tokujiro
Minister of State ZEN Keinosuke
We, the Japanese people, acting through our duly elected representatives
in the National Diet, determined that we shall secure for ourselves and
our posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all nations and the
blessings of liberty throughout 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 the 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.
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.
The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.
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.
The Emperor shall perform only such acts in matters of state as are provided
for in the Constitution and he shall not have powers related to government.
The Emperor may delegate the performance of his acts in matters of state
as may be provided by law.
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. In this case, paragraph one of the preceding article will be applicable.
The Emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as designated by the Diet.
The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court as designated
by the Cabinet.
The Emperor, with the advice and approval of the Cabinet, shall perform
the following acts in matters of state on behalf of the people:
Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders and
treaties.
Convocation of the Diet.
Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Proclamation of general election of members of the Diet.
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.
Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve,
and restoration of rights.
Awarding of honors.
Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents
as provided for by law.
Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
Performance of ceremonial functions.
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.
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.
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. The
right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
The conditions necessary for being a Japanese national shall be determined by law.
The people shall not be prevented from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights. These fundamental human rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as eternal and inviolate 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.
All of the people shall be respected as individuals. 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.
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.
Peers and peerage shall not be recognized.
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.
The people have the inalienable right to choose their public officials
and to dismiss them.
All public officials are servants of the whole community and not of any
group thereof.
Universal adult suffrage is guaranteed with regard to the election of public
officials.
In all elections, secrecy of the ballot shall not be violated. A voter shall
not be answerable, publicly or privately, for the choice he has made.
Every person shall have the right of peaceful 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.
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.
No person shall be held in bondage of any kind. Involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime, is prohibited.
Freedom of thought and conscience shall not be violated.
Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all. No religious organization shall
receive any privileges from the State, nor exercise any political authority.
No person shall be compelled to take part in any religious act, celebration,
rite or practice.
The State and its organs shall refrain from religious education or any other
religious activity.
Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press and all
other forms of expression are guaranteed.
No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of
communication be violated.
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.
Freedom of all persons to move to a foreign country and to divest themselves
of their nationality shall be inviolate.
Academic freedom is guaranteed.
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.
With regard 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.
All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of
wholesome and cultured living.
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.
All people shall have the right to receive an equal education correspondent
to their ability, as provided by law.
All people shall be obligated to have all boys and girls under their protection
receive ordinary education as provided for by law. Such compulsory education
shall be free.
All people shall have the right and the obligation to work.
Standards for wages, hours, rest and other working conditions shall be fixed
by law.
Children shall not be exploited.
The right of workers to organize and to bargain and act collectively is guaranteed.
The right to own or to hold property is inviolable. Property rights shall
be defined by law, in conformity with the public welfare.
Private property may be taken for public use upon just compensation therefor.
The people shall be liable to taxation as provided by law.
No person shall be deprived of life or liberty, nor shall any other criminal penalty be imposed, except according to procedure established by law.
No person shall be denied the right of access to the courts.
No person shall be apprehended except upon warrant issued by a competent judical officer which specifies the offense with which the person is charged, unless he is apprehended, the offense being committed.
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.
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.
Each search or seizure shall be made upon separate warrant issued by a ompetent
judical officer.
The infliction of torture by any public officer and cruel punishments are absolutely forbidden.
In all criminal cases the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and
public trial by an impartial tribunal.
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 expense.
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.
No person shall be compelled to testify against himself.
Confession made under compulsion, torture or threat, or after prolonged
arrest or detention shall not be admitted in evidence.
No person shall be convicted or punished in cases where the only proof against
him is his own confession.
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.
Any person, in case he is acquitted after he has been arrested or detained, may sue the State for redress as provided by law.
The Diet shall be the highest organ of state power, and shall be the sole law-making organ of the State.
The Diet shall consist of two Houses, namely the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
Both Houses shall consist of elected members, representative of all the
people.
The number of the members of each House shall be fixed by law.
The qualifications of members of both Houses and their electors shall be fixed by law. However, there shall be no discrimination because of race, creed, sex, social status, family origin, education, property or income.
The term of office of members of the House of Representatives shall be four years. However, the term shall be terminated before the full term is up in case the House of Representatives is dissolved.
The term of office of members of the House of Councillors shall be six years, and election for half the members shall take place every three years.
Electoral districts, method of voting and other matters pertaining to the method of election of members of both Houses shall be fixed by law.
No person shall be permitted to be a member of both Houses simultaneously.
Members of both Houses shall receive appropriate annual payment from the national treasury in accordance with law.
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.
Members of both Houses shall not be held liable outside the House for speeches, debates or votes cast inside the House.
An ordinary session of the Diet shall be convoked once per year.
The Cabinet may determine to convoke extraordinary sessions of the Diet. When a quarter or more of the total members of either House makes the demand, the Cabinet must determine on such convocation.
When the House of Representatives is dissolved, there must be a general
election of members of the House of Representatives within forty (40) days
from the date of dissolution, and the Diet must be convoked within thirty
(30) days from the date of the election.
When the House of Representatives is dissolved, the House of Councillors
is closed at the same time. However, the Cabinet may in time of national
emergency convoke the House of Councillors in emergency session.
Measures taken at such session as mentioned in the proviso of 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 (10) days after
the opening of the next session of the Diet.
Each House shall judge disputes related to qualifications of its members. 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.
Business cannot be transacted in either House unless one-third or more
of total membership is present.
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.
Deliberation in each House shall be public. However, a secret meeting
may be held where a majority of two-thirds or more of those members present
passes a resolution therefor.
Each House shall keep a record of proceedings. This record shall be published
and given general circulation, excepting such parts of proceedings of secret
session as may be deemed to require secrecy.
Upon demand of one-fifth or more of the members present, votes of the members
on any matter shall be recorded in the minutes.
Each House shall select its own president and other officials.
Each House shall establish its rules pertaining to meetings, proceedings
and internal discipline, and may punish members for disorderly conduct.
However, in order to expel a member, a majority of two-thirds or more of
those members present must pass a resolution thereon.
A bill becomes a law on passage by both Houses, except as otherwise provided
by the Constitution.
A bill which is passed by the House of Representatives, and upon which the
House of Councillors 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 a majority of two-thirds or more of the members present.
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.
Failure by the House of Councillors to take final action within sixty (60)
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 Councillors.
The budget must first be submitted to the House of Representatives.
Upon consideration of the budget, when the House of Councillors 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 Councillors
to take final action within thirty (30) 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.
The second paragraph of the preceding article applies also to the Diet approval required for the conclusion of treaties.
Each House may conduct investigations in relation to government, and may demand the presence and testimony of witnesses, and the production of records.
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. They must appear when their presence is required in order to give answers or explanations.
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.
Matters relating to impeachment shall be provided by law.
Executive power shall be vested in the Cabinet.
The Cabinet shall consist of the Prime Minister, who shall be its head,
and other Ministers of State, as provided for by law.
The Prime Minister and other Ministers of State must be civilians.
The Cabinet, in the exercise of executive power, shall be collectively responsible
to the Diet.
The Prime Minister shall be designated from among the members of the
Diet by a resolution of the Diet. This designation shall precede all other
business.
If the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors disagree and
if no agreement can be reached even through a joint committee of both Houses,
provided for by law, or the House of Councillors fails to make designation
within ten (10) 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.
The Prime Minister shall appoint the Ministers of State.
However, a majority of their number must be chosen from among the members
of the Diet.
The Prime Minister may remove the Ministers of State as he chooses.
If the House of Representatives passes a non-confidence resolution, or rejects a confidence resolution, the Cabinet shall resign en masse, unless the House of Representatives is dissolved within ten (10) days.
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 en masse.
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.
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.
The Cabinet, in addition to other general administrative functions, shall
perform the following functions:
Administer the law faithfully; conduct affairs of state.
Manage foreign affairs.
Conclude treaties. However, it shall obtain prior or, depending on circumstances,
subsequent approval of the Diet.
Administer the civil service, in accordance with standards established by
law.
Prepare the budget, and present it to the Diet.
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.
Decide on general amnesty, special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve,
and restoration of rights.
All laws and cabinet orders shall be signed by the competent Minister of State and countersigned by the Prime Minister.
The Ministers of State, during their tenure of office, shall not be subject to legal action without the consent of the Prime Minister. However, the right to take that action is not impaired hereby.
The whole judical power is vested in a Supreme Court and in such inferior
courts as are established by law.
No extraordinary tribunal shall be established, nor shall any organ or agency
of the Executive be given final judicial power.
All judges shall be independent in the exercise of their conscience and
shall be bound only by this Constitution and the laws.
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.
Public procurators shall be subject to the rule-making power of the Supreme
Court.
The Supreme Court may delegate the power to make rules for inferior courts
to such courts.
Judges shall not be removed except by public impeachment unless judicially declared mentally or physically incompetent to perform official duties. No disciplinary action against judges shall be administered by any executive organ or agency.
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.
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
(10) years, and in the same manner thereafter.
In cases mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, when the majority of the
voters favors the dismissal of a judge, he shall be dismissed.
Matters pertaining to review shall be prescribed by law.
The judges of the Supreme Court shall be retired upon the attainment of
the age as fixed by law.
All such judges shall receive, at regular stated intervals, adequate compensation
which shall not be decreased during their terms of office.
The judges of the inferior courts shall be appointed by the Cabinet from
a list of persons nominated by the Supreme Court. All such judges shall
hold office for a term of ten (10) years with privilege of reappointment,
provided that they shall be retired upon the attainment of the age as fixed
by law.
The judges of the inferior courts shall receive, at regular stated intervals,
adequate compensation which shall not be decreased during their terms of
office.
The Supreme Court is the court of last resort with power to determine the constitutionality of any law, order, regulation or official act.
Trials shall be conducted and judgment declared publicly.
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.
The power to administer national finances shall be exercised as the Diet shall determine.
No new taxes shall be imposed or existing ones modified except by law or under such conditions as law may prescibe.
No money shall be expended, nor shall the State obligate itself, except as authorized by the Diet.
The Cabinet shall prepare and submit to the Diet for its consideration and decision a budget for each fiscal year.
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.
The Cabinet must get subsequent approval of the Diet for all payments from
the reserve fund.
All property of the Imperial Household shall belong to the State. All expenses of the Imperial Household shall be appropriated by the Diet in the 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.
Final accounts of the expenditures and revenues of the Sate 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.
The organization and competency of the Board of Audit shall be determined
by law.
At regular intervals and at least annually the Cabinet shall report to the Diet and the people on the state of national finances.
Regulations concerning organization and operations of local public entities shall be fixed by law in accordance with the principle of local autonomy.
The local public entities shall establish assemblies as their deliberative
organs, in accordance with law.
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.
Local public entities shall have the right to manage their property, affairs and administration and to enact their own regulations within law.
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.
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.
Amendments when so ratified shall immediately be promulgated by the Emperor
in the name of the people, as an integral part of this Constitution.
The fundamental human rights by 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 inviolate.
This Constitution shall be the supreme law of the nation and no law,
ordinance, imperial rescript or their act of government, or part thereof,
contrary to the provisions hereof, shall have legal force or validity.
The treaties concluded by Japan and established laws of nations shall be
faithfully observed.
The Emperor or the Regent as well as Ministers of State, members of the Diet, judges, and all other public officials have the obligation to respect and uphold this Constitution.
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.
The enactment of laws necessary for the enforcement of this Constitution,
the election of members of the House of Councillors 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.
If the House of Councillors 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 Councillors shall be constituted.
The term of office for half the members of the House of Councillors serving in the first term under this Constitution shall be three years. Members falling under this category shall be determined in accordance with law.
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. When, however, successors are elected or appointed under the provisions of this Constitution, they shall forfeit their positions as a matter of course.