Japan’s House of Representatives: Diet Members as the Supreme Organ of State Power
History and Electoral System
Roles and Terms
Legislation and Oversight
Japan's House of Representatives is the lower house of Japan's bicameral parliament, composed of Diet Members who are the representatives of the people. Since its establishment under the Constitution of the Empire of Japan in 1890, it has functioned as the core of Japanese democracy. Members of the House of Representatives are elected through a combination of a single-member district system (289 seats) and a proportional representation system (176 seats) in order to quickly and accurately reflect the diverse voices of the people in national politics, and a total of 465 members are active in the House of Representatives.
The term of office for members of the House of Representatives is set at four years, but if the Prime Minister disbands the House of Representatives, they will lose their qualifications as Diet Members before their term expires, and a general election will be held immediately. Due to this dissolution system, the House of Representatives is positioned as an institution that dynamically reflects the latest will of the people. The right to vote is given to all Japanese citizens over the age of 18, and the right to be elected as a Diet Member is limited to those over the age of 25.
Additionally, the House of Representatives has strong authority over the House of Councillors, which is known as ``Supremacy of the House of Representatives.'' For example, the Diet Members of the House of Representatives hold the most important authority to determine Japan's future, including the right to vote first on the national budget, the right to vote of no confidence in the cabinet, the approval of treaties, and the right to repass a bill by two-thirds or more when there is disagreement between both houses. Furthermore, the resolution of the House of Representatives takes precedence in the nomination of the Prime Minister. This archive provides detailed data, career history, and party affiliation information for all 465 Diet Members of the House of Representatives, providing highly transparent information to voters.
Current Composition (Total: 465)
Centrist Reform Coalition
49
Democratic Party for the People
28
Genzei Nippon / Yukoku Rengo
1
Japan’s House of Councillors: Diet Members Functioning as the ‘House of Prudence’
The House of Councillors is the upper house of Japan's Diet. In Japan's post-war constitution, the House of Prudence was established to replace the pre-war House of Peers, to curb the excesses of the House of Representatives, and to consider national politics from a multifaceted perspective from a long-term perspective. The term of office for Diet Members of the House of Councillors is six years, and half of the Diet Members are re-elected every three years (half-reelection). This prevents sudden changes in the composition of the entire parliament in a single election.
The biggest feature is that there is no ``dissolution'' like in the House of Representatives. Therefore, Diet Members of the House of Councillors are less susceptible to short-term populism and election waves, and are able to more stably tackle medium- to long-term national policy issues (social security, foreign affairs, educational reform, regional revitalization, etc.). The right to stand for election is set at a higher age than that for the House of Representatives, and the person must be 30 years of age or older.
The House of Councillors is composed of a total of 248 members selected from proportional representation representing the whole country (96 seats) and prefectural constituencies (152 seats). In particular, proportional representation uses a non-binding list system (voting by individual candidate's name) and has the aspect of occupational representation, bringing together people with diverse expertise and voices in the field, such as medicine, education, legal professions, and labor unions, as Diet Members. This site provides detailed profiles and the latest activity status of all 248 members of the House of Councillors.
Current Composition (Total: 248)
Liberal Democratic Party / Independents Group
101
Constitutional Democratic Party / Independents
40
Democratic Party for the People / New Green Breeze
25
Team Mirai / Independents Group
2
Conservative Party of Japan
2
History of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the Authority of the 22nd National Assembly Members
The National Assembly of South Korea is the only legislative body in South Korea and a unicameral parliament composed of National Assembly Members who represent the sovereignty of the people. Since the inauguration of the Constitutional National Assembly in 1948, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea has played a pivotal role in the development of democracy, establishing the national foundation, and at the center of the struggle for democratization against dictatorship. According to Article 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, legislative power belongs to the National Assembly, and the currently active 22nd National Assembly consists of a total of 300 National Assembly Members.
Among these, 254 National Assembly Members are elected through a single-member district system in constituencies across the country and directly represent the voices of local residents, while the remaining 46 National Assembly Members are elected through a semi-linked and parallel proportional representation system based on party vote percentages to reflect various functions and interests of minorities in national affairs. The term of office of National Assembly Members is four years, and according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, they are guaranteed the privilege of non-arrest (unless they are red-handed criminals, they cannot be arrested without the consent of the National Assembly during a session) and the privilege of immunity (they are not responsible outside the National Assembly for comments and votes made in the course of their duties in the National Assembly), allowing them to perform their duties independently without being swayed by external pressure.
The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is responsible for the country's most important decisions, including proposing and voting on constitutional amendments, enacting and amending laws, deliberating and finalizing national budget plans, and agreeing to ratification of treaties. In particular, the 'state administration audit' conducted every year to keep the executive branch in check, the 'state affairs investigation' that investigates specific issues, and the right to impeach high-ranking public officials are the core powers of the National Assembly. This archive aims to promote the public's right to know and increase the transparency of legislative activities by providing the political party affiliation, number of times elected, constituency, standing committee activities, and detailed legislative history of all 300 National Assembly Members of the 22nd National Assembly.
