Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1131

 1009 JAPAN.

(Nippon. ) Reigning Sovereign.

The Japanese claim that their empire was founded by the first Emperor Jimmn Tenno, 660 B.C., and that the dynasty founded by him still reigns. It was revived in the year 1868, when the now ruling {de jure) sovereign overthrew, after a short war, the power of the Shogun (the de facto sovereign), who had held the ruling power in successive families, since the twelfth century; and in 1871 the feudal system (Hdken Seiji) was entirely suppressed. The Emperor bears title of Tenn5 ; but the appellation by which he is called in relation to external affairs is * Kotei,' a word of Chinese origin. Only foreigners make use of the poetical title
 * Mikado.'

Emperor of Japan. — Yoshihito (Harunomia), born at Kyoto, August 31, 1879 ; succeeded his father, Mutsuhito, July 30, 1912 ; married. May 10, 1900, to Princess Sadako, born June 25, 1884, daughter of Prince Kujo.

Children of the Mikado. ~l., Prince Hirohito, born April 29, 1901 (Crown Prince). II., Prince Yasuhito, born June 25, 1902. III., Prince Nobuhito, born January 3, 1905.

Sisters of the Mikado. ~l., Princess Masako, born Sept. 80, 1888, married, April 30, 1908, to Prince Tsunehisa. II., Princess Fusako, born Jan. 28, 1890, married, April 29, 1909, to Prince Narihisa. III., Princess Nobuko, born August 7, 1891, married May 6, 1910, to Prince Yasuhiko. IV., Princess Toshiko, born May 11, 1896.

By the Imperial House Law of February 11, 1889, the succession to the throne has been definitely fixed upon the male descendants. In case of failure of direct descendants, the throne devolves upon the nearest Prince and his descendants. The civil list is fixed at 4,500,000 yen.

Constitution and Government.

By the Constitution of February 11, 1889, the Emperor combines in himself the rights of sovereignty, and exercises the wholeof the executive powers with the advice and assistance of the Cabinet Ministers, who are responsible to him, and are appointed by himself. There is also a Privy Council, who are consulted by the Emperor on important matters of State. The Emperor can declare war, make peace, and conclude treaties. The Emperor exercises the legislative power with the consent of the Imperial Diet. It is his prerogative to give sanction to laws, to convoke the Imperial Diet, to open, close, and prorogue it, and to dissolve the House of Representatives. The Imperial Diet consists of two Houses, a House of Peers and a House of Representatives. Every law requires the consent of the Imperial Diet. Both Houses may respectively initiate projects of law, can make repre- sentations to the Government as to laws or upon any other subject, and may present addresses to the Emperor.

The House of Peers (369 members) is composed of (1) male members of the Imperial family of full age ; (2) princes and marquises of the age of 25 and upwards (15 princes and 38 marquises) ; (3) counts, viscounts, and barons of the age of 25 and upwards, and Avho have been elected by the members of their respective orders, never to exceed one-fifth of each order (100

3 T