Government

Under the constitution adopted in 1947, Japan is a monarchy. The emperor is head of state. The legislative body is the Diet, which consists of the House of Representatives (lower house) and the House of Councillors (upper house). The lower house has 500 members, 300 of whom are elected from local districts. The other 200 are selected by the parties to fill their proportional share of seats based on the national vote. Members serve four-year terms. The upper house has 252 members. They are elected for six-year terms, half being chosen every three years. About one-fifth of the upper house is elected at large, the remainder from local districts. The Diet selects from among its members the prime minister (head of government) and the cabinet.

The judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court, the members of which are appointed by the cabinet. The Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of laws and governmental actions.

Japan is divided into 47 administrative districts called prefectures. Although the constitution bars the maintenance of military forces, Japan has strong land, sea, and air units called Self-Defense Forces.