Japan Statistics - Page 11

Government

Japan is a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary emperor and a parliamentary system of government. The present constitution was adopted on Oct. 7, 1946, and became effective on May 3, 1947. The emperor is ceremonial head of state with little governmental power; Emperor Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989; he was succeeded by his son Akijito. Legislative power is vested in the Diet, a bicameral body composed of a House of Representatives, with 512 members elected to 4-year terms, and a House of Councilors, whose 252 members serve staggered 6-year terms. Executive power rests with the cabinet, which is headed by a prime minister, who heads the majority party in the Diet.

Since 1955 the majority political party has been the Liberal Democratic party, a generally conservative organization with strong agrarian roots. Nakasone Yasuhiro succeeded Suzuki Zenko as LDP leader and prime minister in 1982; he was succeeded by Takashita Noboru in October 1987. Takeshita was replaced by Uno Sosuki in June 1989 after scandals and unpopular LDP policies on agriculture and tax reform threatened the party's dominance. In July the LDP lost its majority in the upper house of the Diet to the Socialist party--the first time it had not controlled both houses since 1955. Kaifu Toshiki, who replaced Uno as party leader and prime minister in August, sought to restore the LDP's reputation. In February 1990 elections for the lower house of the Diet the LDP captured 275 of 512 seats. Kaifu stepped down in October 1991 and was succeeded by Miyazawa Kiichi. In July 1992 elections for the upper house the LDP won 69 of 127 seats, regaining control although not a majority.

Judicial powers rest with the supreme court, consisting of a chief justice and 14 other justices who are appointed by the government but who are subject to review in public referendums. Local government is by the 47 prefectures, each with its own elected governor and assembly and wielding a large measure of local autonomy. All citizens over the age of 20 are eligible to vote.