Laurel outlook., 1947-02-26
Mikado Grants
Japan Charter
Strips Emperor Of Power and
Outlaws War; Human
RIGHTS Provided For.

TOKYO. - Scrapping of the ST.
year-old imperial constitution and
substitution of a new charter out
having war, stripping the emperor
of his power and providing for hui
man rights unprecedented in Jap
anese law, were announced re-
Gently by Emperor Hirohito.
Clad in silken robes, the emperor
"reported' to his ancestral gods en-
shrined in the imperial palace anc
tuary that he was shedding his politi-
cal power and would become a mere
figurehead under the new constitu-
ton effective six months hence. Then
Hirohito changed into a newly
adopted "emperor's uniform" and
appeared before the diet in a IS
minute ceremony. For the first time
his voice reached millions of Japa-
nese homes in a Give" and I'M
recorded broadcast over a national
network.
Hirohito asked his fellow citi.
zens" to join him in building a new
nation tempered by a sense Of
moderation and responsibility and
dedicated to freedom and peace"
The constitution takes away the
emperor's status as sacred head OF
the state and the highest military
parsonage. 1t makes him only a
''symbol of state and of the unity
of the people," He has no political
power. He cannot receive gifts I'M
less the diet approves. He must
confine his activities to specified
ceremonial and formal functions.
A chapter headed "The Rights
and Duties of the People" includes
guarantees against illegal arrest, Of
properly constituted courts, of the
secrecy of mail, of inviolable prop
erty rights, of freedom of faith,
speech, writing, publication and as
sembly, and of the right to submit
petitions.
Diet in Highest Position.
Human rights include the equal
lty of the sexes, the right of work.
ers to organize and the right of citi-
zenS to sue the state for violations
Of their rights. Traditional Japanese
marriage pacts arranged by par
ents r outlawed by a clause
providing that marriage shall be
based only on mutual consent with
equal rights between husband and
wife.
The diet is recognized as the
highest organ of the state" The
liet is permitted to select the pre-
nier, previously appointed by the
Emperor, after a board of elder
statesmen had made their recon-. {
nendations. 1t can conduct investi. {
and impeach judges. In addi- I
the lower house can compel S
my government to resign by refus.
ng a vote of confidence.
The two houses of parliament
hanged about $50 words of the orig. '
charter draft approved by Gen
raj Macarthur. One of the major
hanges dealt with the nobility. The
evised clause states fatty that the
eerage shall not be recognized"
chapter renouncing war, rewrit.
en- by the house of representa-
ives, declares that the Japanese
alton yields its sovereign right to
,age wal and to maintain armed
or any war potential.
Amnesty Granted.
The constitution, the second in :,
apanese history, contains 1O3 ar l
cles. The first constitution was U
81 years ago by Hirohito's II
randfather, Emperor Meiji.
Meanwhile, a general amnesty
Spected to free thousands of pris.
hers, including political cases =.
1arged with "lese majestic" went IL
to effect. C
Throughout the country Japanese d q
9lebrated publication of the consti. II