The Constitution of Japan
日本国憲法
Contents
Read it chapter by chapter; the first chapter follows below. Or read the whole law on one page.
- CHAPTER I. THE EMPEROR第一章 天皇Articles 1–8 · 8
- CHAPTER II. RENUNCIATION OF WAR第二章 戦争の放棄Article 9
- CHAPTER III. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE第三章 国民の権利及び義務Articles 10–40 · 31
- CHAPTER IV. THE DIET第四章 国会Articles 41–64 · 24
- CHAPTER V. THE CABINET第五章 内閣Articles 65–75 · 11
- CHAPTER VI. JUDICIARY第六章 司法Articles 76–82 · 7
- CHAPTER VII. FINANCE第七章 財政Articles 83–91 · 9
- CHAPTER VIII. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT第八章 地方自治Articles 92–95 · 4
- CHAPTER IX. AMENDMENTS第九章 改正Article 96
- CHAPTER X. SUPREME LAW第十章 最高法規Articles 97–99 · 3
- CHAPTER XI. SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS第十一章 補則Articles 100–103 · 4
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.
日本国民は、正当に選挙された国会における代表者を通じて行動し、われらとわれらの子孫のために、諸国民との協和による成果と、わが国全土にわたつて自由のもたらす恵沢を確保し、政府の行為によつて再び戦争の惨禍が起ることのないやうにすることを決意し、ここに主権が国民に存することを宣言し、この憲法を確定する。そもそも国政は、国民の厳粛な信託によるものであつて、その権威は国民に由来し、その権力は国民の代表者がこれを行使し、その福利は国民がこれを享受する。これは人類普遍の原理であり、この憲法は、かかる原理に基くものである。われらは、これに反する一切の憲法、法令及び詔勅を排除する。
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.
日本国民は、恒久の平和を念願し、人間相互の関係を支配する崇高な理想を深く自覚するのであつて、平和を愛する諸国民の公正と信義に信頼して、われらの安全と生存を保持しようと決意した。われらは、平和を維持し、専制と隷従、圧迫と偏狭を地上から永遠に除去しようと努めてゐる国際社会において、名誉ある地位を占めたいと思ふ。われらは、全世界の国民が、ひとしく恐怖と欠乏から免かれ、平和のうちに生存する権利を有することを確認する。
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.
われらは、いづれの国家も、自国のことのみに専念して他国を無視してはならないのであつて、政治道徳の法則は、普遍的なものであり、この法則に従ふことは、自国の主権を維持し、他国と対等関係に立たうとする各国の責務であると信ずる。
We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources.
日本国民は、国家の名誉にかけ、全力をあげてこの崇高な理想と目的を達成することを誓ふ。
CHAPTER I. THE EMPEROR
第一章 天皇
第一条
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.
天皇は、日本国の象徴であり日本国民統合の象徴であつて、この地位は、主権の存する日本国民の総意に基く。
第二条
The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.
皇位は、世襲のものであつて、国会の議決した皇室典範の定めるところにより、これを継承する。
第三条
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.
天皇の国事に関するすべての行為には、内閣の助言と承認を必要とし、内閣が、その責任を負ふ。
第四条
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.
天皇は、この憲法の定める国事に関する行為のみを行ひ、国政に関する権能を有しない。
The Emperor may delegate the performance of his acts in matters of state as may be provided by law.
天皇は、法律の定めるところにより、その国事に関する行為を委任することができる。
第五条
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.
皇室典範の定めるところにより摂政を置くときは、摂政は、天皇の名でその国事に関する行為を行ふ。この場合には、前条第一項の規定を準用する。
第六条
The Emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as designated by the Diet.
天皇は、国会の指名に基いて、内閣総理大臣を任命する。
The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court as designated by the Cabinet.
天皇は、内閣の指名に基いて、最高裁判所の長たる裁判官を任命する。
第七条
The Emperor, with the advice and approval of the Cabinet, shall perform the following acts in matters of state on behalf of the people:
天皇は、内閣の助言と承認により、国民のために、左の国事に関する行為を行ふ。
Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders and treaties.
憲法改正、法律、政令及び条約を公布すること。
Convocation of the Diet.
国会を召集すること。
Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
衆議院を解散すること。
Proclamation of general election of members of the Diet.
国会議員の総選挙の施行を公示すること。
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.
国務大臣及び法律の定めるその他の官吏の任免並びに全権委任状及び大使及び公使の信任状を認証すること。
Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
大赦、特赦、減刑、刑の執行の免除及び復権を認証すること。
Awarding of honors.
栄典を授与すること。
Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents as provided for by law.
批准書及び法律の定めるその他の外交文書を認証すること。
Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
外国の大使及び公使を接受すること。
Performance of ceremonial functions.
儀式を行ふこと。
第八条
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.
皇室に財産を譲り渡し、又は皇室が、財産を譲り受け、若しくは賜与することは、国会の議決に基かなければならない。
the Cabinet
内閣
The body that holds executive power: the Prime Minister and the other Ministers of State (Articles 65 and 66). It administers the law, conducts foreign affairs, prepares the budget and issues Cabinet Orders (政令); Article 73 is the list. It answers to the Diet as a body (Article 66, paragraph (3)), and must resign if the House of Representatives passes a vote of no confidence and is not dissolved within ten days (Article 69).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 65, 66, 69, 73 and Wikipedia: Cabinet of Japan as a reference.
the Diet
国会
Japan's parliament, and under Article 41 the only body that can make an Act (法律). It has two chambers, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, both made up of elected members (Articles 42 and 43). It designates the Prime Minister, approves the budget and treaties, and can start the process of amending the Constitution. A Cabinet Order (政令) or Ministerial Order (省令) may impose a duty or a penalty only where an Act the Diet passed says it may.
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 41, 42, 43 and Wikipedia: National Diet as a reference.
Emperor
天皇
The symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, holding that position by the will of the people (Article 1). The Emperor performs only the acts in matters of state the Constitution lists — appointing the Prime Minister the Diet has designated, promulgating laws, convoking the Diet — and has no powers related to government at all (Article 4, paragraph (1), and Articles 6 and 7). Every one of those acts needs the Cabinet's advice and approval, and the Cabinet, not the Emperor, answers for it (Article 3).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and Wikipedia: Emperor of Japan as a reference.
House of Representatives
衆議院
The lower of the Diet's two chambers (Article 42). Its members serve four years, and the term ends early whenever the House is dissolved (Article 45) — which is the difference that matters: the House of Councillors cannot be dissolved. Where the two chambers disagree, the House of Representatives can prevail, on an Act by passing it again with two thirds of the members present (Article 59, paragraph (2)), and on the budget, treaties and the choice of Prime Minister by its decision simply becoming the Diet's.
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 42, 45, 59, 60, 61, 67 and Wikipedia: House of Representatives (Japan) as a reference.
Minister of State
国務大臣
A member of the Cabinet other than the Prime Minister (Article 66, paragraph (1)). All of them must be civilians, and a majority must be members of the Diet; the Prime Minister appoints them and may dismiss them at will (Article 66, paragraph (2), and Article 68). Most head a ministry, which is why a Ministerial Order (省令) — a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Order (厚生労働省令), for instance — is issued in a Minister's name. Ministers of State are among the people the Constitution binds to respect and uphold it (Article 99).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 66, 68, 75, 99 and 国家行政組織法, Art. 5 as a reference.
Prime Minister
内閣総理大臣
The head of the Cabinet. Designated by the Diet from among its own members, and appointed by the Emperor on that designation (Articles 67 and 6). The Prime Minister appoints and may dismiss the other Ministers of State at will, and a majority of them must be members of the Diet (Article 68). No Minister of State can be subjected to legal action while in office without the Prime Minister's consent (Article 75).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 6, 67, 68, 75 and Wikipedia: Prime Minister of Japan as a reference.
Supreme Court
最高裁判所
The highest court, and the court of last resort on whether any law, order, regulation or official act conforms to the Constitution (Article 76, paragraph (1), and Article 81). That power is what makes the Constitution enforceable: there is no penalty attached to breaching it, and instead a conflicting rule is held to have no legal force (Article 98, paragraph (1)). Its judges are reviewed by the people at the first general election after appointment, and again after ten further years (Article 79, paragraph (2)).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 76, 79, 81, 98 and Wikipedia: Supreme Court of Japan as a reference.