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Direct Democracy

Japan

DD002

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Constitution, ChapterIX, Art.96 "Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify."
Source:	The Constitution of Japan, Art.47: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html Act on Procedures for Amendment of the Constitution of Japan: https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=422CO0000000135#1
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD003

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Constitution, ChIX, Art.96 "Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify."
Source:	The Constitution of Japan, Art.47: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD004

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008):https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD005

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008): https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD006

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008): https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD007

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008): https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD129

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	a. Always binding
Comments:	The Constitution of Japan, ChIX, Art.96 "...Amendments when so ratified shall immediately be promulgated by the Emperor in the name of the people, as an integral part of this Constitution."
Source:	The Constitution of Japan, Ch IX, Art.96: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD130

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	a. Constitutional changes only
Comments:	Constitution, ChIX, Art.96 "Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify."
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf The Constitution of Japan, Ch IX, Art.96: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html
Verified:	2019/07/10

DD131

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Constitution Article 95. A special law, applicable only to one local public entity, cannot be enacted by the Diet without the consent of the majority of the voters of the local public entity concerned, obtained in accordance with law. Recalls are also done through plebiscite.
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008): https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook_0.pdf Constitution Art.95: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html Local Autonomy Act Art.261: https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=322AC0000000067#1 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication: http://www.soumu.go.jp/senkyo/senkyo_s/naruhodo/naruhodo06.html
Verified:	2019/07/10

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