Page:Constitutional imperialism in Japan (IA constitutionalim00clemrich).pdf/22
The ministers of State are the following: Minister President of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of War, Minister of the Navy, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, Minister of Communications, and Minister of the Imperial Household. But the last-mentioned is not a member of the Cabinet, which, when fully constituted, consists thus of ten members.
To elucidate what follows, we have prepared (see following page) a table of the Cabinets during the past twenty-five years or so. It should, however, be explained that the figures of duration cannot be given with absolute exactness, but are approximate; because, theoretically, each Cabinet holds over till its successor takes office, but practically gives up office at the time of resignation. However, the interim is generally only a few days and, at the longest, has been only one month.
The table of Cabinets shows that, in the first eight cases (with the exception of the Okuma-Itagaki Cabinet, which lasted only a few months), three of the Elder Statesmen
(7.) Appointments of chokunin officials and of local prefects and governors, as well as their promotions and removals.
In addition to the above, any important matters connected with the duties of Ministers of Departments, and having relation to the higher branches of the administration, shall also be submitted for deliberation by the Cabinet.
Art. VI.—Every Minister of a Department is competent to submit any matter whatsoever bearing on his functions for the consideration of the Cabinet through the Minister President.
Art. VII.—With the exception of military or naval affairs of grave importance which, having been reported directly to the Sovereign by the Chief of Staff, may have been submitted by His Majesty for the consideration of the Cabinet, the Ministers of State for War and the Navy shall report to the Minister President.
Art. VIII.—Should the Minister President be prevented from discharging his functions, they may be temporarily delegated to another Minister of State in conjunction with the latter’s own duties.
Art. IX.—Should any Minister of State be prevented from discharging his functions, they may be delegated temporarily to another Minister of State in conjunction with the latter’s own duties, or another Minister may be appointed to discharge them.
Art. X.—In addition to the various Ministers of State, a Minister may be specially authorized to sit in the Cabinet.
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