The Cabinet is the center of the executive branch and carries out the country’s political affairs in accordance with laws. Japan adopts a parliamentary cabinet system.
Basic Knowledge
Parliamentary cabinet system: a system in which the Cabinet is established on the basis of the confidence of the Diet and bears collective responsibility to the Diet (Article 66, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution).
The Cabinet consists of the prime minister and ministers of state. The prime minister is designated by the Diet from among Diet members and appointed by the Emperor. A majority of the ministers of state must be Diet members.
The Cabinet’s main duties include executing laws, managing foreign affairs, concluding treaties, preparing the budget, establishing cabinet orders, designating the chief justice of the Supreme Court, appointing other judges, and giving advice and approval for the Emperor’s acts in matters of state.
If the House of Representatives passes a no-confidence resolution against the Cabinet, the Cabinet must either dissolve the House of Representatives or resign collectively within 10 days.
Parliamentary cabinet system (a system in which the Cabinet is based on the confidence of the Diet; originating in the United Kingdom)
Prime minister (designated by the Diet from among Diet members)
Minister of state (a majority are Diet members and are appointed by the prime minister)
Cabinet meeting (a meeting for Cabinet decision-making; in principle, decisions are unanimous)
No-confidence resolution (may be passed only by the House of Representatives; dissolution or collective resignation within 10 days)
Administrative reform (policies to reduce waste in government and improve efficiency)
Further Study (Background and Significance)
The parliamentary cabinet system developed in the United Kingdom and emphasizes cooperation between the legislature and executive. In contrast, the United States has a presidential system, in which the legislature and executive are strictly separated.
In recent years, a shift from bureaucrat-led to politician-led government has been promoted. The functions of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office have been strengthened, and systems for senior vice-ministers and parliamentary vice-ministers have been introduced. At the same time, administrative reforms have included reducing the number of national civil servants, deregulation, converting organizations into independent administrative agencies, and decentralization. The Information Disclosure Act (1999) was also established to ensure administrative transparency.
- Parliamentary cabinet system = the Cabinet is based on the confidence of the Diet
- The prime minister is designated by the Diet and appointed by the Emperor
- A majority of ministers of state are Diet members
- Cabinet meetings are, in principle, unanimous
- Only the House of Representatives may pass a no-confidence resolution
- Within 10 days after a no-confidence resolution, the Cabinet must dissolve the House or resign collectively
- Parliamentary cabinet system (United Kingdom and Japan) vs. presidential system (United States)
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Understand the difference between the parliamentary cabinet system (Japan and the United Kingdom) and the presidential system (United States). ② The prime minister is designated by the Diet and appointed by the Emperor. Do not reverse the order. ③ A majority of ministers of state are Diet members, but not all of them. ④ A no-confidence resolution may be passed only by the House of Representatives. The House of Councillors may pass a censure resolution, which has no legal binding force.
Practice
- Explain how the parliamentary cabinet system works.
- If a no-confidence resolution is passed, what choices does the Cabinet face?
- State one difference between the presidential system and the parliamentary cabinet system.