# Prime Minister (内閣総理大臣, ないかくそうりだいじん)

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/prime-minister. Every law, and how to address a provision: https://japanlaw.org/llms.txt. The same laws as MCP tools (no sign-in): https://japanlaw.org/mcp.

- Group: Institutions, offices and documents
- URL: https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/prime-minister
- In Japanese: https://japanlaw.org/ja/concepts/prime-minister
- Written by: claude-opus-5, 2026-09-16

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 for this site by an AI model as a plain-language explanation for readers who are not lawyers. Not reviewed by a lawyer.

## Provisions and sources it draws on

- [Constitution, Arts. 6, 67, 68, 75](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/321CONSTITUTION) — on this site: https://japanlaw.org/en/constitution
- [Wikipedia: Prime Minister of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Japan)

## Where the laws use it

40 laws in force use it in this sense, in 1018 provisions; there the word opens this explanation.

- [Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (金融商品取引法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/financial-instruments-and-exchange-act): 530 provisions, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/financial-instruments-and-exchange-act/art-2), [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/financial-instruments-and-exchange-act/art-4), [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/financial-instruments-and-exchange-act/art-5)
- [Banking Act (銀行法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/banking-act): 163 provisions, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/banking-act/art-2), [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/banking-act/art-4), [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/banking-act/art-5)
- [Payment Services Act (資金決済に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/payment-services-act): 128 provisions, among them [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/payment-services-act/art-5), [Article 6](https://japanlaw.org/en/payment-services-act/art-6), [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/payment-services-act/art-7)
- [Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (不当景品類及び不当表示防止法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/premiums-and-representations-act): 40 provisions, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/premiums-and-representations-act/art-2), [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/premiums-and-representations-act/art-3), [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/premiums-and-representations-act/art-4)
- [Act on Securing Compensation for Automobile Accidents (自動車損害賠償保障法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/automobile-accident-compensation-act): 25 provisions, among them [Article 16-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/automobile-accident-compensation-act/art-16-3), [Article 16-8](https://japanlaw.org/en/automobile-accident-compensation-act/art-16-8), [Article 23-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/automobile-accident-compensation-act/art-23-3)
- [Consumer Contract Act (消費者契約法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/consumer-contract-act): 22 provisions, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/consumer-contract-act/art-2), [Article 13](https://japanlaw.org/en/consumer-contract-act/art-13), [Article 14](https://japanlaw.org/en/consumer-contract-act/art-14)
- [Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures (行政手続における特定の個人を識別するための番号の利用等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act): 15 provisions, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act/art-2), [Article 6-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act/art-6-2), [Article 18](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act/art-18)
- [Act on Regulation of Transmission of Specified Electronic Mail (特定電子メールの送信の適正化等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-electronic-mail-act): 13 provisions, among them [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-electronic-mail-act/art-7), [Article 8](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-electronic-mail-act/art-8), [Article 14](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-electronic-mail-act/art-14)
- [Act on the Protection of Personal Information (個人情報の保護に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/personal-information-protection-act): 10 provisions, among them [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/personal-information-protection-act/art-7), [Article 130](https://japanlaw.org/en/personal-information-protection-act/art-130), [Article 134](https://japanlaw.org/en/personal-information-protection-act/art-134)
- [The Constitution of Japan (日本国憲法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/constitution): 10 provisions, among them [Article 6](https://japanlaw.org/en/constitution/art-6), [Article 63](https://japanlaw.org/en/constitution/art-63), [Article 66](https://japanlaw.org/en/constitution/art-66)
- [Companies Act (会社法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act): 7 provisions, among them [Article 325-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-325-3), [Article 327-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-327-2), [Article 361](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-361)
- [Whistleblower Protection Act (公益通報者保護法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/whistleblower-protection-act): 7 provisions, among them [Article 11](https://japanlaw.org/en/whistleblower-protection-act/art-11), [Article 15](https://japanlaw.org/en/whistleblower-protection-act/art-15), [Article 16](https://japanlaw.org/en/whistleblower-protection-act/art-16)
- [Labor Union Act (労働組合法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-union-act): 5 provisions, among them [Article 19-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-union-act/art-19-3), [Article 19-6](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-union-act/art-19-6), [Article 19-7](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-union-act/art-19-7)
- [Real Estate Brokerage Act (宅地建物取引業法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/real-estate-brokerage-act): 5 provisions, among them [Article 71-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/real-estate-brokerage-act/art-71-2), [Article 72](https://japanlaw.org/en/real-estate-brokerage-act/art-72), [Article 75-4](https://japanlaw.org/en/real-estate-brokerage-act/art-75-4)
- [Local Tax Act (地方税法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act): 4 provisions, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 10](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/suppl-3251-226/art-10), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/suppl-3351-113/art-3), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/suppl-4101-131/art-2)
- [Labor Relations Adjustment Act (労働関係調整法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-relations-adjustment-act): 3 provisions, among them [Article 8](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-relations-adjustment-act/art-8), [Article 35-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-relations-adjustment-act/art-35-2), [Article 35-5](https://japanlaw.org/en/labor-relations-adjustment-act/art-35-5)
- [Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds (犯罪による収益の移転防止に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/criminal-proceeds-act): 3 provisions, among them [Article 22](https://japanlaw.org/en/criminal-proceeds-act/art-22), [Article 23](https://japanlaw.org/en/criminal-proceeds-act/art-23), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/criminal-proceeds-act/suppl-4191-22/art-7)
- [Defined Contribution Pension Act (確定拠出年金法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/defined-contribution-pension-act): 3 provisions, among them [Article 114](https://japanlaw.org/en/defined-contribution-pension-act/art-114), [Article 115](https://japanlaw.org/en/defined-contribution-pension-act/art-115), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 37](https://japanlaw.org/en/defined-contribution-pension-act/suppl-4141-98/art-37)
- [Act on the Promotion of Women's Active Engagement in Professional Life (女性の職業生活における活躍の推進に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/womens-engagement-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/womens-engagement-act/art-5), [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/womens-engagement-act/art-7)
- [Code of Civil Procedure (民事訴訟法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-civil-procedure): 2 provisions, among them [Article 191](https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-civil-procedure/art-191), [Article 223](https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-civil-procedure/art-223)
- [Inheritance Tax Act (相続税法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/inheritance-tax-act): 2 provisions, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 34-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/inheritance-tax-act/suppl-4171-38/art-34-2), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 36](https://japanlaw.org/en/inheritance-tax-act/suppl-4171-38/art-36)
- [Residential Basic Book Act (住民基本台帳法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 31](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act/art-31)
- [Health Insurance Act (健康保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act): 1 provision, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 47](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act/suppl-5061-47/art-47)
- [Child Allowance Act (児童手当法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 29](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act/art-29)
- [Rules on Outside Work, etc. of Physicians and Dentists on Staff under Article 55-17, Paragraph (1) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (出入国管理及び難民認定法第五十五条の十七第一項の規定による医師等職員の兼業等に関する規則)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-medical-staff-side-work-rules): 1 provision, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-medical-staff-side-work-rules/art-1)
- [Penal Code (刑法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/penal-code): 1 provision, among them [Article 232](https://japanlaw.org/en/penal-code/art-232)
- [Act on National Holidays (国民の祝日に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-holidays-act): 1 provision, among them [Supplementary Provisions](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-holidays-act/suppl-3411-86)
- [National Health Insurance Act (国民健康保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act): 1 provision, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 47](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act/suppl-5061-47/art-47)
- [School Education Act (学校教育法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 25](https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-25)
- [Regulation for Enforcement of the Income Tax Act (所得税法施行規則)](https://japanlaw.org/en/income-tax-act-enforcement-regulation): 1 provision, among them [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/income-tax-act-enforcement-regulation/art-7)
- [Passport Act (旅券法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/passport-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/passport-act/art-2)
- [Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children (次世代育成支援対策推進法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/next-generation-support-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 22](https://japanlaw.org/en/next-generation-support-act/art-22)
- [Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (特定商取引に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-commercial-transactions-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 67](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-commercial-transactions-act/art-67)
- [Order to Provide for the Form of Specified Residence Cards and Other Necessary Matters Concerning Specified Residence Cards (特定在留カードの様式その他特定在留カードに関し必要な事項を定める命令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-residence-card-form-order): 1 provision, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-residence-card-form-order/art-3)
- [Public Assistance Act (生活保護法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/public-assistance-act): 1 provision, among them [Appended Table 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/public-assistance-act/appdx-1)
- [Act on Special Measures Concerning Taxation (租税特別措置法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 37-11](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act/art-37-11)
- [Administrative Case Litigation Act (行政事件訴訟法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/administrative-case-litigation-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 27](https://japanlaw.org/en/administrative-case-litigation-act/art-27)
- [Road Traffic Act (道路交通法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-traffic-act): 1 provision, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 20](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-traffic-act/suppl-3351-105/art-20)
- [Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims (配偶者からの暴力の防止及び被害者の保護等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/spousal-violence-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 2-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/spousal-violence-act/art-2-2)
- [Act on Assurance of Medical Care for Elderly People (高齢者の医療の確保に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act): 1 provision, among them [Supplementary Provisions, Article 47](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act/suppl-5061-47/art-47)

## Related

- [Emperor (天皇, てんのう)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/emperor)
- [The Diet (国会, こっかい)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/diet)
- [The Cabinet (内閣, ないかく)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/cabinet)
- [Minister of State (国務大臣, こくむだいじん)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/minister-of-state)
- [House of Representatives (衆議院, しゅうぎいん)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/house-of-representatives)
- [Information Disclosure and Personal Information Protection Review Board (情報公開・個人情報保護審査会, じょうほうこうかい・こじんじょうほうほごしんさかい)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/information-disclosure-review-board)
- [Fair Trade Commission (公正取引委員会, こうせいとりひきいいんかい)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/fair-trade-commission)
- [Commissioner of the Financial Services Agency (金融庁長官, きんゆうちょうちょうかん)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/fsa-commissioner)

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## Sources

- Explanation: Written for this site with AI (claude-opus-5, 2026-09-16)
- Where it is used, and how often: Worked out by this site from e-Gov's text
- English names of the laws: Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice (37 records)
- English names of the laws: Written for this site with AI