nihon no seiji - 日本の政治 -
National Diet Building
The center of Japanese politics, located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
The nearest subway station to the National Diet or politically-related organizations is sometimes called "Nagatacho."
The regular Diet session begins in January every year and lasts for about 150 days, during which bills are discussed.
House of Representatives
One of the branches of the National Diet.
It has 465 members, and a national election is held every four years.
If the Cabinet is dissolved, the House of Representatives is also dissolved at the same time, and a House of Representatives election is held ahead of schedule.
The House of Representatives has the power to veto bills passed by the House of Councillors, and the House of Representatives is considered to have greater power.
House of Councillors
One of the branches of the National Diet.
A national election is held every five years.
In reality, half of the members are elected every three years.
The House of Councillors, which has a longer term of office, has less power than the House of Representatives.
Prefectural Governors
The leaders of each prefectural assembly, elected every four years.
The governor of Tokyo, a city with a large economy, is considered to have particularly strong powers.
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