Promulgated on November 3, 1946; Put into effect on May 3, 1947.
We, the Japanese people, acting through our duly electedrepresentatives in the National Diet, determined that we shallsecure for ourselves and our posterity the fruits of peacefulcooperation with all nations and the blessings of libertythroughout this land, and resolved that never again shall we bevisited with the horrors of war through the action of government,do proclaim that sovereign power resides with the people and dofirmly establish this Constitution. Government is a sacred trustof the people, the authority for which is derived from thepeople, the powers of which are exercised by the representativesof the people, and the benefits of which are enjoyed by thepeople. This is a universal principle of mankind upon which thisConstitution is founded. We reject and revoke all constitutions,laws, ordinances, and rescripts in conflict herewith.
We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and aredeeply conscious of the high ideals controlling humanrelationship, and we have determined to preserve our security andexistence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-lovingpeoples of the world. We desire to occupy an honored place in aninternational society striving for the preservation of peace, andthe banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerancefor all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of theworld have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.
We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone,but that laws of political morality are universal; and thatobedience to such laws is incumbent upon all nations who wouldsustain their own sovereignty and justify their sovereignrelationship with other nations.
We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor toaccomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources.
Article 1. The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State andof the unity of the people, deriving his position from the willof the people with whom resides sovereign power.
Article 2. The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic andsucceeded to in accordance with the Imperial House law passed bythe Diet.
Article 3. The advice and approval of the Cabinet shall berequired for all acts of the Emperor in matters of state, and theCabinet shall be responsible therefor.
Article 4. The Emperor shall perform only such acts inmatters of state as are provided for in this Constitution and heshall not have powers related to government
(2) The Emperor may delegate the performance of his acts inmatters of state as may be provided by law.
Article 5. When, in accordance with the Imperial House law,a Regency is established, the Regent shall perform his acts inmatter of state in the Emperor's name. In this case, paragraphone of the article will be applicable.
Article 6. The Emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as
designated by the Diet.
(2) The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme
Court as designated by the Cabinet.
Article 7. The Emperor, with the advice and approval of theCabinet, shall perform the following acts in makers of state onbehalf of the people:
(i) Promulgation of amendmen