The Constitution of Japan [1946-7] | Page 4

as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or
use of force as a mean of settling international disputes.
(2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea,
and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained.
The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

CHAPTER III.
RIGHTS ANO DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE
Article 10. The conditions necessary for being a Japanese national shall
be determined by law. Article 11. The people shall not be prevented
from enjoying any of the fundamental human rights. These
fundamental human rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution
shall be conferred upon the people of this and future generations as
eternal and inviolate rights. Article 12. The freedoms and rights
guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be maintained by the
constant endeavor of the people, who shall refrain from any abuse of
these freedoms and rights and shall always be responsible for utilizing
them for the public welfare. Article 13. All of the people shall be
respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public
welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other
governmental affairs. Article 14. All of the people are equal under the
law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic or social
relations because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.
(2) Peers and peerage shall not be recognized.

(3) No privilege shall accompany any award of honor, decoration or
any distinction, nor shall any such award be valid beyond the lifetime
of the individual who now holds or hereafter may receive it. Article 15.
The people have the inalienable right to choose their public officials
and to dismiss them.
(2) All public officials are servants of the whole community and not of
any group thereof.
(3) Universal adult suffrage is guaranteed with regard to the election of
public officials.
(4) In all elections, secrecy of the ballot shall not be violated. A voter
shall not be answerable, publicly or privately, for the choice he has
made. Article 16. Every person shall have the right of peaceful petition
for the redress of damage, for the removal of public officials, for the
enactment, repeal or amendment of law, ordinances or regulations and
for other matters, nor shall any person be in any way discriminated
against sponsoring such a petition. Article 17. Every person may sue
for redress as provided by law from the State or a public entity, in case
he has suffered damage through illegal act of any public official.
Article 18. No person shall be held in bondage of any kind. Involuntary
servitude, except as punishment for crime, is prohibited Article 19.
Freedom of thought and conscience shall not be violated. Article 20.
Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all. No religious organization shall
receive any privileges from the State nor exercise any political
authority.
(2) No person shall be compelled to take part in any religious acts,
celebration, rite or practice.
(3) The state and its organs shall refrain from religious education or any
other religious activity.
Article 21. Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech,
press and all other forms of expression are guaranteed.
(2) No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any
means of communication be violated. Article 22. Every person shall
have freedom to choose and change his residence and to choose his
occupation to the extent that it does not interfere with the public
welfare.
(2) Freedom of all persons to move to a foreign country and to divest
themselves of their nationality shall be inviolate. Article 23. Academic

freedom is guaranteed. Article 24. Marriage shall be based only on the
mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual
cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis.
(2) With regard to choice of spouse, property rights, inheritance, choice
of domicile, divorce and other matters pertaining to marriage and the
family, laws shall be enacted from the standpoint of individual dignity
and the essential equality of the sexes.
Article 25. All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum
standards of wholesome and cultured living.
(2) In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the
promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public
health. Article 26. All people shall have the right to receive an equal
education correspondent to their ability, as provided by law.
(2) All people shall be obligated to have all boys and girls under their
protection receive ordinary educations as provided for by law. Such
compulsory education shall be free.
Article 27. All people