Politics

The politics of Japan takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, which together make up the 'Diet'. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Sovereignty is vested in Japanese nationals by whom officials are elected in all of the branches. There is universal adult suffrage with a secret ballot. The system is similar to that in the United Kingdom.

The Emperor

The Imperial Household of Japan is headed by the Emperor of Japan. 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. Power is mainly held by the Prime Minister, and other elected members of the Diet. Sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people by the constitution. Though his official status is disputed, on diplomatic occasions the emperor tends to behave (with widespread public support, it should be noted) as though he were a head of state. As of 2007, Japan is the only country in the world which is headed by an emperor.

Executive Branch

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. The Prime Minister must be a member of either house of the Diet and a civilian. The Cabinet, which the Prime Minister organises, must also be civilian. The Prime Minister has the power to appoint and remove ministers, a majority of whom must be Diet members.

Legislative Branch

By the Constitution, the Diet is the most powerful of the three branches and consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Diet directs the Emperor in the appointment and removal of the chiefs of the executive and judicial branches.

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch is independent of the other two. Its judges are appointed by the Emperor as directed by the Diet.

Japan's judicial system, drawn from customary law, civil law and Anglo-American common law, consists of several levels of courts, with the Supreme Court as the final judicial authority. The Japanese constitution, drawn up on May 3, 1947 includes a bill of rights similar to the United States Bill of Rights, and the Supreme Court has the right of judicial review. Japanese courts do not use a jury system, and there are no administrative courts or claims courts. Because of the judicial system's basis, court decisions are made in accordance with legal statutes. Only Supreme Court decisions have any direct effect on later interpretation of the law.

Foreign Relations

Japan maintains close economic and military relations with its key ally the United States, with the US-Japan security alliance serving as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. A member state of the United Nations since 1956, Japan is currently serving as a non-permanent Security Council member. It is also one of the 'G4 nations' seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.

As a member of the G8, the APEC, the 'ASEAN Plus Three', and a participant in the East Asia Summit, Japan actively participates in international affairs. It is also the world's second-largest donor of official development assistance, donating 0.19% of its GNP in 2004. Japan contributed non-combatant troops to the Iraq War, but has subsequently withdrawn forces from the region.

Japan has several territorial disputes with its neighbours:

with Russia over the Kuril Islands
with South Korea over Dokdo (Takeshima)
with China and Taiwan over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyutai Islands)
with China over the status of Okinotorishima

These disputes are in part about the control of marine and natural resources, such as possible reserves of crude oil and natural gas.

The country also has an ongoing dispute with North Korea over its abduction of Japanese citizens and its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Military

Japan's military is restricted by Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan of 1946, which states that "Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes". Thus, Japan's current constitution prohibits the use of military force to wage war against other countries.

Japan's military is governed by the Ministry of Defence and primarily consists of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force. The military budget of Japan is less than one percent of its GDP, though it is estimated to be the fourth largest in the world at $44.3 billion per year, as of 2005. The forces have been recently used in peacekeeping operations and the deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq marked the first overseas use of its military since World War II.