The Constitution of Japan, 1946

The Constitution of Japan is the fundamental law of Japan. It was enacted on 3 May 1947 as a new constitution for postwar Japan. 

The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights. Under its terms the Empror of Japan is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people" and exercises a purely ceremonial role without the possession of sovereignty

The constitution, also known as the "Postwar Constitution" or the "Peace Constitution", is most characteristic and famous for the renunciation of the right to wage war contained in Article 9 and to a lesser extent, the provision for de jure popular sovereignty in conjunction with the monarchy.

The constitution was drawn up under the Allied occupation that followed World War 2 and was intended to replace Japan's previous militaristic and absolute monarchy system with a form of liberal democracy. Currently, it is a rigid document and no subsequent amendment has been made to it since its adoption.

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