1. Japan A Unitary Nation A presentation by Brock Reish and Patrick Meador

2. Emperor www.faroukmisr.net Ceremonial duties only The throne is dynastic. NO power in the government The Emperor

3. Key Characteristics of the Government  The House of Representatives (low house)  The House of Councilors (upper house)  Collectively called “The Diet”  The executive branch  Prime Minister  Appointed cabinet

4. Government Structure  House of Reps. appoint the Prime Minister  Nothing happens without Diet approval

5. Constitutional Highlights Equal Rights – No discrimination based on race, creed, sex, social status, or family origin. (article 14) Religious Freedom – The government will refrain from religious involvement. People are free in all religious decisions. (article 20) Renunciation of War - A military will not be maintained for the purpose of intimidation or war. Global peace will always be the goal. (article 9)

6. Where did it come from?  Outlined by General Douglas MacArthur after WWII.  Strong American influence

7. Rule of Law  The Diet is the highest power of the state.  Prime minister appointed by the house of representatives.  People vote directly for representatives.

8. Court System  5 levels of courts  Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Family Courts and Summary Courts  The Supreme court is the highest and handles all final appeals  Supreme court composed of 15 justices divided into 3 benches

9. Voting  House of Councilors  100 members voted at large  152 voted as prefectural members  6-year terms, one half every 3  House of Representatives  467 members  Voted from districts (3-5 reps each)  4-year terms

10. Economics  Boast one of the most economically free nations  Ranked 24 th “freest” nation by the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom

11. Major Issues  Aging Population  Slow birth rate  Government is unpopular  Poverty is growing

12. Works Cited "Diet." Encyclopædia Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/ EBchecked/topic/162773/Diet#ref217977>. kantei. Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet, n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2013. http://www.kantei.go.jp/ foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/consti tution_e.htmlhttp://www.kantei.go.jp/ foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/consti tution_e.html "Japan." 2013 Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013..