92/08/11 21:57:49 NOSIDE   日本国憲法第２章まで

    The Constitution of Japan
     
 We, the Japanese people, acting through our duty elected representatives in
 the National Diet, determined that we shall secure for ourselves and our
 posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all nation and the blessings
 of liberty throughout this land, and resolved that never again shall we be 
 visited with the horrors of war through the action of government,do proclaim 
 that sovereign power resides with the people and do firmly establish this 
 Constitution.
 
 Government is a sacred trust of the people,the authority for which is derived 
 from the people, the powers of which are exercised by the representatives of 
 the people, and the benefits of which are enjoued by the people.
 
 This is an universal principle of mankind upon which this Constitution 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 are deeply conscious
 of the h igh ideais controlling human relationship and we have determined to
 preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the 
 peace-loving peoples of the world.
 
 We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for 
 the preservation on peace, and the banidhment of tyranny and slavary,oppressino
 and intolerance for all time from the earth.
 
  We recognize that all peoples of th e world have the right to live in peace, 
 free from fear and want.

   We  belive that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of
political morality are universal; and that obedience to such laws is incumbent 
upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty and justify their 
sovereign relationship with other nations. 

   We, the Japanese people,pledge our national honor, to accomplish these high
ideals and purpose with all our resources.     

             CHAPTER 1. THE EMPEROR
             
Article 1. The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of
the people,deriving his position from the will of the people with whom
resides sovereign power.
 
Article 2. The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance 
with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.
 
Article 3. The advice and approval of the Cabinet shall be required for all acts
 of the Emperor in matters of state, and the Cabinet shall be responsible 
therefor.

Article 4. The emperor shall perform only such acts in matters of state as are 
provided for in this Constitution and he shall not have powers related to 
government.

  The Emperor may delegate t he performance of his acts in matters 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 in matters of state in the 
Emperor's name. In this case, paragraph one of the preceding article will be 
applicable.

Ariticle 6. The emperor shall appoint the Prime Minister as designated by the 
Diet.  
   The Emperor shall appoint the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, as designated
 by the Cabinet.
   
Ariticle 7. The Emperor, with the advice and approval of the  Cabinet, shall 
perform, the following acts in matters of state on behalf of the people:        
   Promulgation of amendments of the constitution ,laws,cabknet orders and 
treaties. 
   
   Convocation of the Diet.
   
   Dissolution of the House of Representatives.
   
   Proclamation of general election of members of the Diet.
   
   Attestation of the appointment and dismissal of Ministers of State and other 
officials as provided for by law, and of full powers and credentials of 
Ambassadors and Ministers. 
   
   Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, 
reprieve, and restoration of rights.
   
   Awarding of honors.
   
   Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents as 
provided for by law.
   
   Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
   
   Performance of ceremonial functions.
   
Article 8. No property can be given to, or received by the Imperial House, nor 
can any gifts be made therefrom, without th e authorization of the Diet.

        CHAPTER 2. RENUNCIATION OF WAR
        
Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based  on  justice and 
order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereigh right of the  
nation  and the threat or use of force as means of settling international 
disputes.

   In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and 
   air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. 
   
The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.