PhiloWiki

The Constitution of Japan, 1946 · Japan

CHAPTER IV. THE DIET

Article 41. The Diet shall be the highest organ of state power, and shall be the sole law-making organ of the State. Article 42. The Diet shall consist of two Houses, namely the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Article 43. Both Houses shall consist of elected members, representative of all the people. (2) The number of the members of each House shall be fixed by law. Article 44. The qualifications of members of both Houses and their electors shall be fixed by law. However, there shall be no discrimination because of race, creed, sex, social status, family origin, education, property or income. Article 45. The term of office of members of the House of Representatives shall be four years. However, the term shall be terminated before the full term is up in case the House of Representatives is dissolved. Article 46. The term of office of members of the House of Councillors shall be six years, and election for half the members shall take place every three years. Article 47. Electoral districts, method of voting and other matters pertaining to the method of election of members of both Houses shall be fixed by law. Article 48. No person shall be permitted to be a member of both Houses simultaneously. Article 49. Members of both Houses shall receive appropriate annual payment from the national treasury in accordance with law. Article 50. Except in cases provided by law, members of both Houses shall be exempt from apprehension while the Diet is in session, and any members apprehended before the opening of the session shall be freed during the term of the session upon demand of the House. Article 51. Members of both Houses shall not be held liable outside the House for speeches, debates or votes cast inside the House.

Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.

Open in the reader →