CONSTITUTION OF THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN, 1889
Imperial Oath Sworn in the Sanctuary in the Imperial Palace
(Tsuge-bumi)
We, the Successor to the prosperous Throne of Our
Predecessors, do humbly and solemnly swear to the Imperial
Founder of Our House and to Our other Imperial Ancestors that, in
pursuance of a great policy co-extensive with the Heavens and
with the Earth, We shall maintain and secure from decline the
ancient form of government.
In consideration of the progressive tendency of the course
of human affairs and in parallel with the advance of
civilization, We deem it expedient, in order to give clearness
and distinctness to the instructions bequeathed by the Imperial
Founder of Our House and by Our other Imperial Ancestors, to
establish fundamental laws formulated into express provisions of
law, so that, on the one hand, Our Imperial posterity may possess
an express guide for the course they are to follow, and that, on
the other, Our subjects shall thereby be enabled to enjoy a wider
range of action in giving Us their support, and that the
observance of Our laws shall continue to the remotest ages of
time. We will thereby to give greater firmness to the stability
of Our country and to promote the welfare of all the people
within the boundaries of Our dominions; and We now establish the
Imperial House Law and the Constitution. These Laws come to only
an exposition of grand precepts for the conduct of the
government, bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House and
by Our other Imperial Ancestors. That we have been so fortunate
in Our reign, in keeping with the tendency of the times, as to
accomplish this work, We owe to the glorious Spirits of the
Imperial Founder of Our House and of Our other Imperial Ancestors.
We now reverently make Our prayer to Them and to Our
Illustrious Father, and implore the help of Their Sacred Spirits,
and make to Them solemn oath never at this time nor in the future
to fail to be an example to our subjects in the observance of the
Laws hereby established.
May the heavenly Spirits witness this Our solemn Oath.
Imperial Rescript on the Promulgation of the Constitution
Whereas We make it the joy and glory of Our heart to behold
the prosperity of Our country, and the welfare of Our subjects,
We do hereby, in virtue of the Supreme power We inherit from Our
Imperial Ancestors, promulgate the present immutable fundamental
law, for the sake of Our present subjects and their descendants.
The Imperial Founder of Our House and Our other Imperial
ancestors, by the help and support of the forefathers of Our
subjects, laid the foundation of Our Empire upon a basis, which
is to last forever. That this brilliant achievement embellishes
the annals of Our country, is due to the glorious virtues of Our
Sacred Imperial ancestors, and to the loyalty and bravery of Our
subjects, their love of their country and their public spirit.
Considering that Our subjects are the descendants of the loyal
and good subjects of Our Imperial Ancestors, We doubt not but
that Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and will
sympathize with all Our endeavors, and that, harmoniously
cooperating together, they will share with Us Our hope of making
manifest the glory of Our country, both at home and abroad, and
of securing forever the stability of the work bequeathed to Us by
Our Imperial Ancestors.
Preamble [or Edict] (Joyu)
Having, by virtue of the glories of Our Ancestors, ascended
the throne of a lineal succession unbroken for ages eternal;
desiring to promote the welfare of, and to give development to
the moral and intellectual faculties of Our beloved subjects, the
very same that have been favored with the benevolent care and
affectionate vigilance of Our Ancestors; and hoping to maintain
the prosperity of the State, in concert with Our people and with
their support, We hereby promulgate, in pursuance of Our Imperial
Rescript of the 12th day of the 10th month of the 14th year of
Meiji, a fundamental law of the State, to exhibit the principles,
by which We are guided in Our conduct, and to point out to what
Our descendants and Our subjects and their descendants are
forever to conform.
The right of sovereignty of the State, We have inherited
from Our Ancestors, and We shall bequeath them to Our
descendants. Neither We nor they shall in the future fail to
wield them, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution
hereby granted.
We now declare to respect and protect the security of the
rights and of the property of Our people, and to secure to them
the complete enjoyment of the same, within the extent of the
provisions of the present Constitution and of the law.
The Imperial Diet shall first be convoked for the 23rd year
of Meiji and the time of its opening shall be the date, when the
present Constitution comes into force.
When in the future it may become necessary to amend any of
the provisions of the present Constitution, We or Our successors
shall assume the initiative right, and submit a project for the
same to the Imperial Diet. The Imperial Diet shall pass its vote
upon it, according to the conditions imposed by the present
Constitution, and in no otherwise shall Our descendants or Our
subjects be permitted to attempt any alteration thereof.
Our Ministers of State, on Our behalf, shall be held
responsible for the carrying out of the present Constitution, and
Our present and future subjects shall forever assume the duty of
allegiance to the present Constitution.
CHAPTER I. THE EMPEROR
Article 1. The Empire of Japan shall be reigned over and
governed by a line of Emperors unbroken for ages eternal.
Article 2. The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by
Imperial male descendants, according to the provisions of the
Imperial House Law.
Article 3. The Emperor is sacred and inviolable.
Article 4. The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining
in Himself the rights of sovereignty, and exercises them,
according to the provisions of the present Constitution.
Article 5. The Emperor exercises the legislative power with
the consent of the Imperial Diet.
Article 6. The Emperor gives sanction to laws, and orders
them to be promulgated and executed.
Article 7. The Emperor convokes the Imperial Diet, opens,
closes, and prorogues it, and dissolves the House of
Representatives.
Article 8. The Emperor, in consequence of an urgent
necessity to maintain public safety or to avert public
calamities, issues, when the Imperial Diet is not sitting,
Imperial ordinances in the place of law.
(2) Such Imperial Ordinances are to be laid before the
Imperial Diet at its next session, and when the Diet does not
approve the said Ordinances, the Government shall declare them to
be invalid for the future.
Article 9. The Emperor issues or causes to be issued, the
Ordinances necessary for the carrying out of the laws, or for the
maintenance of the public peace and order, and for the promotion
of the welfare of the subjects. But no Ordinance shall in any way
alter any of the existing laws.
Article 10. The Emperor determines the organization of the
different branches of the administration, and salaries of all
civil and military officers, and appoints and dismisses the same.
Exceptions especially provided for in the present Constitution or
in other laws, shall be in accordance with the respective
provisions (bearing thereon).
Article 11. The Emperor has the supreme command of the Army
and Navy.
Article 12. The Emperor determines the organization and
peace standing of the Army and Navy.
Article 13. The Emperor declares war, makes peace, and
concludes treaties.
Article 14. The Emperor declares a state of siege.
(2) The conditions and effects of a state of siege shall be
determined by law.
Article 15. The Emperor confers titles of nobility, rank,
orders and other marks of honor.
Article 16. The Emperor orders amnesty, pardon, commutation
of punishments and rehabilitation.
Article 17. A Regency shall be instituted in conformity with
the provisions of the Imperial House Law.
(2) The Regent shall exercise the powers appertaining to the
Emperor in His name.