The Constitution of Japan [1946-7] | Page 6

both Houses shall not be held liable outside the House for
speeches, debates or votes cast inside the House. Article 52. An
ordinary session of the Diet shall be convoked once per year. Article 53.
The Cabinet may determine to convoke extraordinary sessions of the
Diet. When a quarter or more of the total members of either house
makes the demand, the Cabinet must determine on such convocation.
Article 54. When the House of Representatives is dissolved, there must
be a general election of members of the House of Representatives
within forty (40) days from the date of dissolution, and the Diet must
be convoked within thirty (30) days from the date of the election.
(2) When the House of Representatives is dissolved, the House of
Councillors is closed at the same time. However, the Cabinet may in
time of national emergency convoke the House of Councillors in
emergency session.
(3) Measures taken at such session as mentioned in the proviso of the
preceding paragraph shall be provisional and shall become null and
void unless agreed to by the House of Representatives within a period
of ten (10) days after the opening of the next session of the Diet.

Article 55. Each House shall judge disputes related to qualifications of
its members. However, in order to deny a seat to any member, it is
necessary to pass a resolution by a majority of two-thirds or more of
the members present. Article 56. Business cannot be transacted in
either House unless one third or more of total membership is present.
(2) All matters shall be decided, in each House, by a majority of those
present, except as elsewhere provided in the Constitution, and in case
of a tie, the presiding officer shall decide the issue. Article 57.
Deliberation in each House shall be public. However, a secret meeting
may be held where a majority of two-thirds or more of those members
present passes a resolution therefor.
(2) Each House shall keep a record of proceedings. This record shall be
published and given general circulation, excepting such parts of
proceedings of secret session as may be deemed to require secrecy.
(3) Upon demand of one-fifth or more of the members present, votes of
the members on any matter shall be recorded in the minutes.
Article 58. Each house shall select its own president and other officials.
(2) Each House shall establish its rules pertaining to meetings,
proceedings and internal discipline, and may punish members for
disorderly conduct. However, in order to expel a member, a majority of
two-thirds or more of those members present must pass a resolution
thereon. Article 59. A bill becomes a law on passage by both Houses,
except as otherwise provided by the Constitution.
(2) A bill which is passed by the House of Representatives, and upon
which the House of Councillors makes a decision different from that of
the House of Representatives, becomes a law when passed a second
time by the House of Representatives by a majority of two-thirds or
more of the members present.
(3) The provision of the preceding paragraph does not preclude the
House of Representatives from calling for the meeting of a joint
committee of both Houses, provided for by law.
(4) Failure by the House of Councillors to take final action within sixty
(60) days after receipt of a bill passed by the House of Representatives,
time in recess excepted, may be determined by the House of
Representatives to constitute a rejection of the said bill by the House of
Councillors.
Article 60. The Budget must first be submitted to the House of

Representatives.
(2) Upon consideration of the budget, when the House of Councillors
makes a decision different from that of the House of Representatives,
and when no agreement can be reached even through a joint committee
of both Houses, provided for by law, or in the case of failure by the
House of Councillors to take final action within thirty (30) days, the
period of recess excluded, after the receipt of the budget passed by the
House of Representatives, the decision of the House of Representatives
shall be the decision of the Diet.
Article 61. The second paragraph of the preceding article applies also
to the Diet approval required for the conclusion of treaties.
Article 62. Each House may conduct investigations in relation to
government, and may demand the presence and testimony of witnesses,
and the production of records. Article 63. The Prime Minister and other
Ministers of State may, at any time, appear in either House for the
purpose of speaking on bills, regardless of whether they are members
of the House or not. They must appear when their presence is required
in order to give answers or explanations. Article 64. The Diet shall set
up an impeachment court from