Chapter I

Article I.
The Empire of Japan shall be reigned over and governed by a
line of Emperors unbroken for ages eternal.

Article II.
The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by Imperial male
descendants, according to the provisions of the Imperial House
Law.

Article III.
The Emperor is sacred and inviolable.

Article IV.
The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining in Himself
the rights of sovereignty, and exercises them, according to
the provisions of the present Constitution.

Article V.
The Emperor exercises the legislative power with the consent
of the Imperial Diet.

Article VI.
The Emperor gives sanction to laws, and orders them to be
promulgated and executed.

Article VII.
The Emperor convokes the Imperial Diet, opens, closes, and
prorogues it, and dissolves the House of Representatives.

Article VIII.
The Emperor, in consequence of an urgent necessity to maintain
public safety or to avert public calamities, issues, when the
Imperial Diet is not sitting, Imperial Ordinances in the place
of law. Such Imperial Ordinances are to be laid before the
Imperial Diet at its next session, and when the Diet does not
approve the said Ordinances, the Government shall declare them
to be invalid for the future.

Article IX.
The Emperor issues, or causes to be issued, the Ordinances
necessary for the carrying out of the laws, or for the
maintenance of the public peace and order, and for the
promotion of the welfare of the subjects. But no Ordinance
shall in any way alter any of the existing laws.

Article X.
The Emperor determines the organization of the different
branches of the administration, and the salaries of all civil
and military officers, and appoints and dismisses the same.
Exceptions especially provided for in the present Constitution
or in other laws, shall be in accordance with the respective
provisions (bearing thereon).

Article XI.
The Emperor has the supreme command of the Army and Navy.

Article XII.
The Emperor determines the organization and peace standing of
the Army and Navy.

Article XIII.
The Emperor declares war, makes peace, and concludes treaties.

Article XIV.
The Emperor proclaims the law of siege. The conditions and
effects of the law of siege shall be determined by law.

Article XV
The Emperor confers titles of nobility, rank, orders, and
other marks of honor.

Article XVI.
The Emperor orders amnesty, pardon, commutation of punishment,
and rehabilitation.

Article XVII.
A Regency shall be instituted in conformity with the
provisions of the Imperial House Law. The Regent shall
exercise the powers appertaining to the Emperor in His name.