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[Countersigned by the Ministers.]

Article I.—An Imperial Proclamation for the convocation of the Imperial Diet, fixing the date of its assembling, shall be issued at least forty days beforehand.

Article II.—The Members shall assemble in the Hall of their respective Houses, upon the day specified in the Imperial Proclamation of convocation.

Article III.—The President and Vice-President of the House of Representatives shall both of them be nominated by the Emperor, from among three candidates respectively elected by the House for each of those offices.

Until the nomination of the President and Vice-President, the functions of President shall be discharged by the Chief Secretary.

Article IV.—Each House shall divide the whole number of its Members into several Sections by lot, and in each Section a Chief shalt be elected by and from among the Members belonging thereto.

Article V.—Upon the organization of both Houses, the day for the opening of the Imperial Diet shall be fixed by Imperial Order, and the ceremony of opening shall be celebrated by the assembling of the Members of both Houses in the House of Peers.

Article VI.—On the occasion referred to in the preceding Article, the functions of President shall be exercised by the President of the House of Peers.

Article VII.—There shall be in each House a President and a Vice-President.

Article VIII.—The term of office of the President and of the Vice-President of the House of Representatives, shall be the same as that of the membership thereof.

Article IX.—When the office of President or of Vice-President of the House of Representatives, has become vacant by the resignation of the occupant thereof or for any other reason, the term of office of the successor shall be in correspondence with that of his predecessor.

Article X.—The President of each House shall maintain order therein, regulate the debates, and represent the House outside thereof.