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Constitutional Imperialism in Japan
[Vol. VI

with eleven, six, and three members respectively. In all other cases, each prefecture forms one district, with from two to twelve members according to the population. There are special provisions for the Hokkaido on account of its large area and scattered population. There are many polling-places in each district.

The members of both Houses receive an annual allowance (2,000 yen) and traveling expenses, except those who are in the service of the Government. Of course, no one can be a member of both Houses at the same time.

The members of the two Houses possess certain special personal privileges.

No Member of either House shall be held responsible outside the respective Houses for any opinion uttered or for any yote given in the House (Article LII).

The Members of both Houses shall, during the session, be free from arrest, unless with the consent of the House, except in cases of flagrant delicts, or of offences connected with a state of internal commotion or with a foreign trouble (Article LIII).

Ordinary sessions of the Imperial Diet must be convoked every year; and they last for three months, This time limit, however, may be prolonged by Imperial Order in case of necessity. An extraordinary session may be convoked by Imperial Order, “when urgent necessity arises”; and its duration “shall be determined by Imperial Order.”[1] In the case of the dissolution of the House of Representatives, a new election must be held at such a time as will enable the new House to be “convoked within five months from the day of dissolution.”

A quorum in either House consists of one-third of the whole number of members; and, without such quorum, “no debate can be opened and no vote can be taken.”

An “absolute majority” is required for a decision in either House. The President has no vote, except in the case of a tie, when he has the deciding vote.

In general, the two Houses have equal rights and powers

  1. ↑ In twenty-five years, there were eleven special sessions.

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