Japan House Of Representatives
Japan House of Representatives
The House of Representatives (衆議院, Shūgiin) is the lower house of the National Diet of Japan, which is the country's national legislature. Established under the Constitution of Japan, the House of Representatives holds significant political power, often compared to the upper house, the House of Councillors.
Structure and Composition
The House of Representatives is composed of members elected to serve terms of up to four years. Elections are held using a combination of single-member districts and multi-member districts. As of 2024, there are 465 members. The age requirement for candidates is 25 years or older, and Japanese nationals aged 18 and older are eligible to vote, following a recent reduction in the voting age from 20.
Functions and Powers
The House of Representatives is the more powerful chamber of the National Diet. It possesses several distinct functions and powers that highlight its superiority over the House of Councillors:
- Legislation: It can pass bills, which, if vetoed by the House of Councillors, can still become law with a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives.
- National Budget: The House has the authority to approve the national budget, with the power of overriding any amendments or vetoes proposed by the House of Councillors.
- Treaties: The House of Representatives has a decisive role in the approval of treaties, with its decisions taking precedence over those of the upper house.
- Prime Minister: The selection of the Prime Minister of Japan is primarily a function of the House of Representatives, which further underscores its political clout. The Prime Minister must maintain the confidence of the House, and the House can pass a vote of no confidence, forcing the government to resign or call a general election.
Recent Developments
The most recent election, held on October 27, 2024, saw the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito failing to secure a majority, winning 215 seats, which is 18 short of a majority. This resulted in a significant shift in the political landscape, impacting the composition and policy direction of the House of Representatives.