The politics of Japan is conducted in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy where the Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government and the head of the Cabinet that directs the executive branch. Legislative power is vested in the Diet, which consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Japanese politics uses a multi-party system. The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and lower courts. In academic studies, Japan is generally considered a constitutional monarchy with a system of civil law.
The Constitution of Japan defines the emperor to be "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He performs ceremonial duties and holds no real power, not even emergency reserve powers. Political power is held mainly by the Prime Minister and other elected members of the Diet. The Imperial Throne is succeeded by a member of the Imperial House of Japan as designated by the law. Sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people by the constitution. Though his official status is disputed, on diplomatic occasions the emperor tends to behave as the head of state (with widespread public support).
The executive branch reports to the Diet. The chief of the executive branch, the Prime Minister, is appointed by the Emperor as directed by the Diet. He must be a member of either house of the Diet and a civilian. The Cabinet members are nominated by the Prime Minister, and must also be civilian. Since the Liberal Democratic Party (the LDP) was in power, it has been convention that the President of the party serves as prime minister.
The Cabinet is composed of Prime Minister and ministers of state, and is responsible to the Diet. The Prime Minister has the power to appoint and remove ministers, a majority of whom must be Diet members. The liberal conservative LDP was in power from 1955 to 2009, except for a very short-lived coalition government formed from its opposition parties in 1993; the largest opposition party was the social liberal Democratic Party of Japan in the late 1990s and late 2000s.
Read more about Politics Of Japan: Emperor, Legislative Branch, Political Parties and Elections, Judicial Branch, Policy Making, Post-war Political Development, Political Developments Since 1990, Foreign Relations
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