The Constitution of Japan [1946-7] | Page 3

royalty is due.
Royalties are payable to "Project Gutenberg Association / Benedictine
University" within the 60 days following each date you prepare (or
were legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent periodic)
tax return.
WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU
DON'T HAVE TO?
The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, scanning

machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty free copyright
licenses, and every other sort of contribution you can think of. Money
should be paid to "Project Gutenberg Association / Benedictine
University".
*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN
ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*

THE CONSTITUTION OF JAPAN, 1946 Promulgated on November 3,
1946; Put into effect on May 3, 1947.
We, the Japanese people, acting through our duly elected
representatives in the National Diet, determined that we shall secure for
ourselves and our posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all
nations and the blessings of liberty throughout this land, and resolved
that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the
action of government, do proclaim that sovereign power resides with
the people and do firmly establish this Constitution. Government is a
sacred trust of the people, the authority for which is derived from the
people, the powers of which are exercised by the representatives of the
people, and the benefits of which are enjoyed by the people. This is a
universal principle of mankind upon which this Constitution is founded.
We reject and revoke all constitutions, laws, ordinances, and rescripts
in conflict herewith.
We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply
conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship, and we
have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the
justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. We desire to
occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the
preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery,
oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize
that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from
fear and want.
We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of
political morality are universal; and that obedience to such laws is
incumbent upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty
and justify their sovereign relationship with other nations.

We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these
high ideals and purposes with all our resources.

CHAPTER I.
THE EMPEROR
Article 1. The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity
of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with
whom resides sovereign power.
Article 2. The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in
accordance with the Imperial House law passed by the Diet.
Article 3. The advice and approval of the Cabinet shall be required for
all acts of the Emperor in matters of state, and the Cabinet shall be
responsible therefor.
Article 4. The Emperor shall perform only such acts in matters of state
as are provided for in this Constitution and he shall not have powers
related to government (2) The Emperor may delegate the performance
of his acts in matters of state as may be provided by law.
Article 5. When, in accordance with the Imperial House law, a Regency
is established, the Regent shall perform his acts in matter of state in the
Emperor's name. In this case, paragraph one of the article will be
applicable.
Article 6. The Emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as designated
by the Diet.
(2) The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court as
designated by the Cabinet.
Article 7. The Emperor, with the advice and approval of the Cabinet,
shall perform the following acts in makers of state on behalf of the
people: (i) Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws,
cabinet orders and treaties; (ii) Convocation of the Diet; (iii)
Dissolution of the House of Representatives; (iv) Proclamation of
general election of members of the Diet; (v) Attestation of the
appointment and dismissal of Ministers of State and other officials as
provided for by law, and of full powers and credentials of Ambassadors
and Ministers; (vi) Attestation of general and special amnesty,
commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights; (vii)
Awarding of honors; (viii) Attestation of instruments of ratification and

other diplomatic documents as provided for by law; (ix) Receiving
foreign ambassadors and ministers; (x) Performance of ceremonial
functions.
Article 8. No property can be given to, or received by, the Imperial
House, nor can any gifts be made therefrom, without the authorization
of the Diet.

CHAPTER II.
RENUNCIATION OF WAR Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an
international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people
forever renounce war