1. Japan

6. Instead of states, Japan has prefectures. 47 of them. Japan’s current Emperor is Emperor Akihito Japan is the third largest economy in the world behind the U.S. and China. In March of 2011 Japan suffered a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

7. Facts Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world. Japan has the lowest homicide rate in the world, and has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. It is the third largest economy behind 1, the United States and 2, China

8. After World War II Japan is still a Constitutional Monarchy They still have an Emperor Japan was forced to adopt a Constitution in 1947 It strips the Emperor of all ruling power Today adults in Japan have universal suffrage There is a clause within the Constitution that states that the Japanese people must “Forever renounce war as a sovereign right of a nation”

9. The Diet Bicameral- House of Councillors- Members serve an advisory role. House of Representatives- Can force the Prime Minister to resign or dissolve the House of Representatives The Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe The Emperor is Akihito

10. Other duties of the House Has power to raise taxes, appropriate money and make treaties Both houses must pass bills on everything else. The House of Representatives can override a negative vote in the other house by a two-thirds vote

11. Prime Minister Whatever party has the most seats in the House of Representatives picks the Prime Minister Appoints members of the cabinet May dissolve the House of Representatives and call for new elections

12. The Emperor As part of the terms of the surrender of Japan following the Second world war, the Emperor of Japan plays a less political role. The Emperor appoints the Prime Minister but by law must appoint whomever is selected by the legislature.

13. Political parties Liberal Democrats- Not liberal but actually conservative. Formed with the urging of the U.S. government to make sure the Socialists and Communists didn’t win elections Japan Socialist Party (Now called Social Democratic Party)- a major left wing party Democratic Party- emerged to be a strong party in the 1996 election Japan Communist party- a left-wing party