Government in Tokyo
Japan's type of government follows a constitutional monarchy where the Emperor's power is limited to mainly ceremonial duties. The government has three branches: the executive, legislature, and the judiciary. The Emperor is the Head of State and the imperial family; his position doesn't influence the activities of the government in any way. The prime minister is the head of the Government. The Japanese constitution was adopted in 1947, and it has not been amended since it was enacted. Japan has 47 administrative divisions which include one metropolitan district, two urban prefectures, 43 rural prefectures, and one district. The main cities are subdivided into wards then further split into towns, precincts, and counties. Villages are the smallest units and their mayors serve for a term of four years. There is a separation of power in the local government, and the Assembly can dismiss the Cabinet. The local governments also have other committees like the school boards, personnel committees, and auditing committees.
Japanese Independence
After signing the San Francisco Peace Treaty with the Allied Powers in 1951, Japan once again became an officially independent nation in 1952, and was granted membership in the United Nations in 1956. The Declaration of Independence had been known to Japanese since the mid-nineteenth century. In that moment of time, the translation of Western ideas were to promote change. This Declaration also played the role of the standard for change only twice in the history of modern Japan. Japan's basic idea having been firmly transplanted into the Japanese Constitution, the American document today quietly rests in Japan as a historical document without a role in political debate.
Source: CIA Factbook
Source: CIA Factbook