Constitution and government

Japan's supreme law: it declares that sovereign power rests with the people, makes the Diet the sole law-making organ, gives executive power to the Cabinet and judicial power to the courts, guarantees fundamental human rights, and puts the duty to respect and uphold it on those who hold public office.

The common procedure government offices must follow when they decide applications, make decisions against a person, give administrative guidance, receive notifications and make orders, so that administration is fair and open and people's rights and interests are protected.

How a person can challenge a decision of a government agency, or its failure to decide an application, by asking the administration itself to review it, under a simple, quick and fair procedure.

The rules for administrative cases in court, above all for challenging an administrative authority's decision: the kinds of suit, who may bring one and against whom, the time limits, and what the court may order while the case runs and in its judgment.

Gives any person the right to ask the administrative organs (行政機関) this Act lists, from the Cabinet's bodies to the Board of Audit, to disclose the documents they hold, and sets what may be withheld and how a refusal is challenged.

When the State or a public entity must pay compensation: for harm a public employee exercising public authority causes unlawfully, intentionally or negligently, in the course of their duties, and for damage caused by a defect in a road, river or other public structure.

Names Japan's national holidays (国民の祝日), days set aside for the people to celebrate, give thanks or commemorate, and makes each of them — and certain days after or between them — a public holiday (休日).

What counts as a school in Japan, from kindergarten to university, and who may found one; the nine years of compulsory education a custodian must give a child; and the rules for specialized training colleges and miscellaneous schools, which are not schools in this Act's sense.