Editing Constitution of Japan (section)

=== Organs of government (Articles 41–95) ===
[[File:Politics Under Constitution of Japan 04.svg|thumb|upright=2|Politics under the Post-war Constitution]]
{{Main|Government of Japan|Member of Parliament (Japan)}}

The constitution establishes a parliamentary system of government in which legislative authority is vested in a bicameral [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]]. Although a bicameral Diet existed under the existing constitution, the new constitution abolished the upper [[House of Peers (Japan)|House of Peers]], which consisted of members of the [[Kazoku|nobility]] (similar to the British [[House of Lords]]). The new constitution provides that both chambers be directly elected, with a lower [[House of Representatives (Japan)|House of Representatives]] and an upper [[House of Councillors]].

The Diet nominates the Prime Minister from among its members, although the Lower House has the final authority if the two Houses disagree.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, in practice, the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party of the Lower House.<ref name=":0" /> The House of Representatives has the sole ability to pass a [[vote of no confidence]] in the Cabinet, can override the House of Councillors' veto on any bill, and has priority in determining the national budget, and approving treaties.

Executive authority is vested in a [[Cabinet of Japan|cabinet]], jointly responsible to the Diet, and headed by a [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]].<ref name=":0" /> The prime minister and a majority of the cabinet members must be members of the Diet, and have the right and obligation to attend sessions of the Diet. The Cabinet may also advise the Emperor to dissolve the House of Representatives and call for a general election to be held.

The judiciary consists of several lower courts headed by a [[Supreme Court of Japan|Supreme Court]]. The [[Chief Justice of Japan|Chief Justice]] of the Supreme Court is nominated by the Cabinet and [[Imperial Investiture|appointed]] by the Emperor, while other justices are nominated and appointed by the Cabinet and attested by the Emperor. Lower court judges are nominated by the Supreme Court, appointed by the Cabinet and attested by the Emperor. All courts have the power of [[judicial review]] and may interpret the constitution to overrule statutes and other government acts, but only in the event that such interpretation is relevant to an actual dispute.

The constitution also provides a framework for [[Administrative divisions of Japan|local government]], requiring that local entities have elected heads and assemblies, and providing that government acts applicable to particular local areas must be approved by the residents of those areas. These provisions formed the framework of the [[Local Autonomy Law]] of 1947, which established the modern system of [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]], [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]] and other local government entities.