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The new constitution was promulgated in the year 1946 during the occupation by the Allied powers:
LEGISLATURE:
The Japanese parliament is called the Diet. It consists of the House of Representatives (500 members) and the House of Councilors (252 members). The members of the diet are elected by the people. The diet elects the Prime Minister.
EXECUTIVE:
The cabinet is the executive branch headed by the Prime Minister. Current prime minister is Ryutaro Hashimoto. The cabinet further consists of 20 ministers which are appointed by the prime minister and are almost always members of the diet.
JUDICIARY:
The highest court is the Supreme Court. Other courts are district courts, high courts, family courts, and summary courts. Judges are appointed by the cabinet.
ELECTIONS:
The minimum voting age is 20 years. Women received the right to vote after World War II. Elections for the House of Representatives are carried out every 4 years, and every 6 years for the House of Councilors. Beside the national elections there are municipal and prefectural elections.
The emperor does not have any effective power but is only the symbol of the state.
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