page_title: Government of Japan
section_title: The Cabinet
hierarchical_section_title: Government of Japan / Executive / The Cabinet
caption_attribution_description: 2nd Building of the Central Common Government Office at 2-1-2 Kasumigaseki in Minato, Tokyo, Japan It houses the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (formerly Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications), the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB), and the National Public Safety Commission Prior to the 2008 establishment of JTSB, it housed the Japan Marine Accident Inquiry Agency (JMAIA) and the Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission (ARAIC)
context_page_description: The Government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy in which the power of the Emperor is limited and is relegated primarily to ceremonial duties, based on popular sovereignty. The Government is divided into three branches: the Legislative branch, the Executive branch, and the Judicial branch.
  The Government runs under the framework established by the Constitution of Japan, adopted in 1947. It is a unitary state, containing forty-seven administrative divisions, with the Emperor as its Head of State. His role is ceremonial and he has no powers related to Government. Instead, it is the Cabinet, comprising the Ministers of State and the Prime Minister, that directs and controls the Government and the civil service. The Cabinet has the executive power and is formed by the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government. He or she is designated by the National Diet and appointed to office by the Emperor.
  The National Diet is the legislature, the organ of the Legislative branch. It is bicameral, consisting of two houses with the House of Councilors being the upper house, and the House of Representatives being the lower house.
context_section_description: The Cabinet of Japan (内閣) consists of the Ministers of State and the Prime Minister. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Prime Minister, and under the Cabinet Law, the number of members of the Cabinet appointed, excluding the Prime Minister, must be fourteen or less, but may only be increased to nineteen should a special need arise. Article 68 of the Constitution states that all members of the Cabinet must be civilians and the majority of them must be chosen from among the members of either house of the National Diet. The precise wording leaves an opportunity for the Prime Minister to appoint some non-elected Diet officials. The Cabinet is required to resign en masse while still continuing its functions, till the appointment of a new Prime Minister, when the following situation arises:
  The Diet's House of Representatives passes a non-confidence resolution, or rejects a confidence resolution, unless the House of Representatives is dissolved within the next ten (10) days.
  When there is a vacancy in the post of the Prime Minister, or upon the first convocation of the Diet after a general election of the members of the House of Representatives.
  Conceptually deriving legitimacy from the Diet, whom it is responsible to, the Cabinet exercises its power in two different ways. In practice, much of its power is exercised by the Prime Minister, while others are exercised nominally by the Emperor.
  Article 73 of the Constitution of Japan expects the Cabinet to perform the following functions, in addition to general administration:
  Administer the law faithfully; conduct affairs of state.
  Manage foreign affairs.
  Conclude treaties. However, it shall obtain prior or, depending on circumstances, subsequent approval of the Diet.
  Administer the civil service, in accordance with standards established by law.
  Prepare the budget, and present it to the Diet.
  Enact cabinet orders in order to execute the provisions of this Constitution and of the law. However, it cannot include penal provisions in such cabinet orders unless authorized by such law.
  Decide on general amnesty, special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
  Under the Constitution, all laws and cabinet orders must be signed by the competent Minister and countersigned by the Prime Minister, before being formally promulgated by the Emperor. Also, all members of the Cabinet cannot be subject to legal action without the consent of the Prime Minister; however, without impairing the right to take legal action.
  ※ As of October 14, 2018
caption: 2nd Building of the Central Government
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