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。
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.