The National Diet is the highest organ of state power and the sole law-making organ (Article 41 of the Constitution). Representatives of the people gather to make laws and decide important matters of the country.
Basic Knowledge
Japan adopts a bicameral system, consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
House of Representatives: 465 members, a four-year term (subject to dissolution), eligibility for election from age 25.
House of Councillors: 248 members, a six-year term (half reelected every three years, no dissolution), eligibility for election from age 30.
Types of Diet sessions: ordinary session (convened every January for 150 days), extraordinary session, special session (within 30 days after the general election following dissolution of the House of Representatives), and emergency session (House of Councillors only).
Main duties include enacting laws, approving the budget, approving treaties, designating the prime minister, establishing an impeachment court, and proposing constitutional amendments.
National Diet (the highest organ of state power and sole law-making organ, Article 41 of the Constitution)
Bicameral system (consisting of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors)
Predominance of the House of Representatives (the House’s decisions take priority regarding the budget, treaties, designation of the prime minister, and laws)
Plenary session and committees (bills are deliberated by committees before being voted on in plenary session)
Public hearing (hearing the opinions of interested parties and experts on important matters)
Impeachment court (conducting trials to remove inappropriate judges from office)
Further Study (Background and Significance)
The predominance of the House of Representatives is recognized because its members have shorter terms and the House may be dissolved, so it more accurately reflects the latest public opinion. Specifically, the House’s decision takes priority in approving the budget and treaties and designating the prime minister. A bill can also become law if the House passes it again by a two-thirds majority of members present.
Bills are deliberated by specialized committees and then voted on in plenary session. Bills may be submitted by legislators or the Cabinet, and in recent years, Cabinet-sponsored bills have made up the majority. Activating the legislature is an important issue for democracy.
- National Diet = highest organ of state power and sole law-making organ (Article 41)
- House of Representatives = 465 members, four-year term, subject to dissolution, eligibility from age 25
- House of Councillors = 248 members, six-year term, no dissolution, eligibility from age 30
- Ordinary session = convened every January for 150 days
- Predominance of the House of Representatives = budget, treaties, prime minister designation, and laws
- Repassage of a bill = two-thirds or more in the House of Representatives
- Committee-centered system = deliberation by committees followed by a plenary vote
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Do not confuse the figures for the House of Representatives (four-year term, subject to dissolution, 465 members, age 25) and the House of Councillors (six-year term, no dissolution, 248 members, age 30). ② Distinguish the ordinary session (every January), extraordinary session (when necessary), and special session (after a general election following dissolution). ③ Repassage of a law requires two-thirds or more of members present, while proposing a constitutional amendment requires two-thirds or more of all members. ④ The predominance of the House of Representatives applies only to specific powers, not all powers.
Practice
- State the number of members and term of the House of Representatives.
- Name the four matters in which the House of Representatives has predominance.
- How much support is required in the House of Representatives to repass a bill?