Appointment and Composition of the Cabinet
– Cabinet ministers are appointed after the selection of the prime minister.
– Majority of the Cabinet, including the prime minister, must be members of the National Diet.
– All Cabinet members must be civilians.
– The number of Cabinet ministers (excluding the prime minister) must be fourteen or less, but can be increased to nineteen if needed.
– If the Cabinet collectively resigns, it continues to exercise its functions until the appointment of a new prime minister.
Powers of the Cabinet
– The Cabinet exercises two kinds of power: those exercised by the Emperor with the binding advice and approval of the Cabinet, and those explicitly vested in the Cabinet.
– The Constitution vests executive authority in the Cabinet, making it the chief executive.
– The prime minister exercises control and supervision over the executive branch, with no law or Cabinet order taking effect without their countersignature.
– Cabinet Ministers in Japan have less freedom of action compared to other parliamentary democracies.
– Ministers of State are not subject to legal action without the consent of the prime minister during their tenure.
Powers Exercised via the Emperor
– Promulgation of amendment of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders, and treaties.
– Convocation of the National Diet.
– Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
– Proclamation of general elections to the National Diet.
– Receiving of foreign ambassadors and ministers.
– Conferring of honors.
Explicit Powers of the Cabinet
– Execution of the law.
– Conduct of foreign affairs.
– Conclusion of treaties (with the consent of the National Diet).
– The Prime Minister’s Official Residence is where the Cabinet is located.
– The Paulownia Seal is considered the symbol of the Japanese prime minister, cabinet, and government.
External Links
– Official Website of the prime minister of Japan and His Cabinet.
– List of successive Japanese cabinets (in Japanese).
– Previous Cabinets (Since 1996) and list of previous prime ministers (Since 1885) (in English).
– Cabinet Office.
– Cabinet Secretariat (in Japanese only).
– Cabinet Legislation Bureau. Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Japan