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Politics
in Japan
In 1890 the
Imperial Diet was established, making Japan the first country in Asia to
introduce parliamentary politics. The Diet is the sole legislative organ
of the state and the highest organ of power. It is vested with such powers
as initiating constitutional revisions, deciding on the budget, approving
treaties and designating a prime minister.
The upper house, or the House
of Peers, of the Imperial Diet was made up of representatives of the privileged
class, especially the peerage and the Japan remained an absolute monarch, with
sovereignty in the hands of the emperor. It was only in November 1946,
when the present Constitution was promulgated, that sovereignty was given to the
people and a democratic system government was adopted. Now the emperor is
the symbol of the state and the Diet is the supreme organ of state power.
The present system is built
on the separation of powers of the three branches of government - legislative,
executive and judicial - which act to check and balance one another.
Administration at the prefectural level is centered on the governor and assembly
of each of the 47 prefectures.
The governor and assembly members are
elected directly by residents of the prefecture. Under each prefectural
government is a system of city, town, and village administrations. These
municipal assemblies and mayors are also elected directly by local
residents.
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