The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights. Under its terms the Emperor of Japan is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people" and exercises a purely ceremonial role without the possession of sovereignty.
The constitution, also known as the "Post-war Constitution" (戦後憲法, Sengo-Kenpō?) or the "Peace Constitution" (平和憲法, Heiwa-Kenpō?), is best known for its Article 9, by which Japan renounces its right to wage war; and to a lesser extent, the provision for de jure popular sovereignty in conjunction with the monarchy.
The constitution was drawn up under the Allied occupation that followed World War II and was intended to replace Japan's previous militaristic and system of quasi-absolute monarchy with a form of liberal democracy. No amendment has been made to it since its adoption.[1]
The new Japanese constitution after world war ll contained a clause that prevented Japan from having or using an army
MacArthur gave the authors less than a week to complete the draft of new Japanese constitution. On May 3, 1947, Japan’s postwar constitution goes into effect. The progressive constitution granted the universal suffrage, stripped Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power, stipulated a bill of rights, abolished peerage, and outlawed Japan’s right to make war. After WW II, Japan's new Constitution did not allow Japan to have an offensive military force. As stated in Article 9 of Japan's Constitution that says: "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes"
It is aligned with the stated purpose of the military called the Self Defence Force (SDF) is "to preserve Japan's peace, independence and safety". The SDF described in the constitution as "the minimum level of armed strength for self-defence necessary" is the world's sixth-best funded army. The book titled 1989 Yoshino Sakuzo prize-winning book is essential reading for understanding Japan's postwar constitution
Grade: 9
Subject: history
Chapter: Japanese constitution
Keywords: Japanese constitution
