El marc polític de Japó

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

Emperor: Naruhito (since 1 May 2019); succeeded his father who abdicated on 30 April 2019
Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi (re-elected 18 February 2026)

Next Election Dates

House of Representatives: October 2028

Main Political Parties

The main political parties represented in the parliament include:

- The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): centre-right, conservative, nationalist, liberal, populist
- The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP): centre to centre-right, liberal
- Komeito (NK): centre-right, conservative, pacifist, in coalition with the LDP
- Social Democratic Party (SDP): centre-left to left-wing, social-democratic
- Japan Innovation Party (Ishin): conservative, right-wing, populist
- Democratic Party for the People (DPP): centre to centre-right
- Japanese Communist Party (JPC): left-wing to far-left, socialist; more than doubled its representation in the last election
- Reiwa Shinsengumi: left-wing, populist and progressive
- NHK Party: populist
- Okinawa Social Mass Party: local party represented in the parliament, social-democratic
- Sanseitō: right-wing, populist
- Yūshi no Kai: centre
- Conservative Party of Japan (CPJ): ultranationalist, right-wing populist.

Executive Power

The head of State is the Emperor and the role is largely ceremonial. The leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition in the parliament (House of Representatives) is normally appointed Prime Minister by the Emperor after being nominated by the National Diet. The Prime Minister is the Head of the Government and enjoys executive powers, which include implementation of the law and running of day-to-day affairs. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister.

Legislative Power

The legislature in Japan is bicameral. The parliament, called the National Diet, consists of the House of Councillors (the upper house) and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The House of Councillors contains 248 members, elected through a popular vote for six-year terms, with half of the membership being renewed every three years. The House of Representatives contains 465 members, elected through a popular vote for four-year terms. The Constitution of Japan states that the nation's 'highest organ of state power' is the National Diet. The executive branch of government is directly or indirectly dependent on the support of the National Diet, which is often expressed through a vote of confidence.