LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
                                                                              national government
                                              state/provincial/prefectural government
                                                                local government


National Government Responsibilities
The national government usually deals with issues that impact the entire country.  This would include things like:
  • International Relations

  • Coining and Printing Currency

  • National Defense

  • Postal Services

  • Supreme Court Cases

  • Social Security

State/Provincial/Prefectural Government
This level of government usually deals with issues that impact a portion of the country within a defined geographic area.  This
allows the government to administer services and maintain order.  It is important to understand the functions of the
government at this level vary widely, depending on the country.  Examples include (but are not limited to) the following:
  • Creation and Enforcement of Laws and Regulations

  • State Law Enforcement

  • Health and Welfare Issues

  • Issuing Driver's License

Local Government (sometimes referred to as municipal government)
This is generally the lowest level of government and it provides the basic services for specific communities, towns, and cities.
Examples include (but are not limited to) the following:
  • Local Government Administration

  • Police Departments

  • Fire Departments

  • Sewer and Water Departments

Note- Each level is responsible for different functions and responsibilities.  
People around the world fall into one or more of the following groups within their society:
  • citizen  (obeying laws, paying taxes, voting, participating in jury duty)
    • consumer
      • student
        • worker

        The role that a person plays usually depends on the type of government and laws within his or her  country.  Many modern forms of
        government encourage their citizens to take an active role.  Conversely, many dictatorships and authoritarian governments leave little
        to no room for citizen input.


BASIC GOVERNMENT CONCEPTS and GLOSSARY

democracy- a political system in which a country’s people elects their leaders and rule by majority

The concept of democracy can be traced back to the Greeks. It has its roots in the idea that citizens (usually land owning males)
had the opportunity to vote directly for or against a possible law or decision.  This is known as direct democracy and reflects the
direct participation of citizens in government.  

Citizens could also elect a person to represent them.  This is known as indirect democracy
and is also democracy in action.

It is important to note that democracy operates under the concept of majority rule and a
constitution is not required.

DEMOCRACY

republic- a democratic form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to
act on their behalf under a constitution.

The concept of a republic has its roots in the Roman Republic.  The word republic comes
from Latin and means “public affairs.”

A republic has three key elements:   
  • active citizen participation
    • representatives working for the people
      • government operating in accordance with the laws of a constitution

CITIZENSHIP

A critical right and responsibility for citizens in a democracy is the right to vote.  Although many constitutions around the world
granted suffrage rights to it's citizens, it does not always mean all citizens.  Many countries have universal suffrage - voting is
granted to all citizens once they reach a certain age.  But some other countries have restricted suffrage.  These suffrage
restrictions are usually based on a person's gender, employment status, whether the person in the military or police, or the
length of residency.     

New Zealand 1893 - Women in New Zealand were the first to be given the right to vote.  



Finland 1906 - Women in Finland gained the right to vote in 1906.                                             


United Kingdom 1928 - The road to voting for women in the UK was long and hard.  The Representation
of the People Act was passed in 1918; this law allowed men over age 21 and women over age 30 to vote.
Later in 1928 all citizens over age of 21 were given suffrage rights.


USA 1920 - Women in the United States were given the right to vote in 1920 with the ratification of the
19th Amendment.  The 19th Amendment protects the right of women's suffrage.  It states that "The
right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by
any State on account of sex."

Japan 1945 - Women in Japan gained the right to vote during the American occupation following World
              War II.  The voted in their first election in 1946.

SUFFRAGE - THE RIGHT TO VOTE



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Examples
of
Republics
 
Chile

France

Germany

Tunisia

U.S.A

  











Home

US AND JAPAN
GOVERNMENT COMPARISON

The purpose of the information on this page is to allow the reader to understand the similarities and differences of the Japanese and
American forms of government.  Both Japan and the United States have national governments that are made up of three branches:
legislative branch, executive branch, and the judicial branch.
  • Legislative Branch (the bicameral "two-house" legislature)
    • Executive Branch  (the Chief Executive and Cabinet)  
      • Judicial Branch (the court system including the Supreme Court)



 
Japan

United States
of America






Form of Government
Parliamentary Government With A Constitutional Monarchy
Constitution-Based Federal Republic

Suffrage Age
20
18

Administrative Divisions
47 Prefectures
50 States and 1 Federal District

National Holiday
December 23, 1933
July 4, 1776

Constitution Date
May 3, 1947
March 4, 1789

Legal System Origin
German Civil Law
English Common Law

Chief of State
Emperor
President

Head of Govt.
Prime Minister
President

Cabinet
Appointment by the Prime Minister
Presidential Appointment With Senate Approval

Legislature Type
Bicameral (Diet)
Bicameral (Congress)


Upper House/ Members

House of Councillors (242)

Senate (100)

Upper House Term
6 Years
6 Years

Upper House Representation
146 Multi-seat Constituency Diet Members and 96
Proportional Representation Members
2 Per State

Lower House/Members
House of Representatives (480)
House of Representatives (435)

Lower House Representation
300 Single-seat Constituency Members and 180
Proportional Representative Members from 11 Regions
Representation Is Based on State Population

Lower House Term
Maximum of 4 Years
2 Years





THE CABINET

Their purpose of a cabinet is to lead executive agencies and to advise the chief executive about issues related to their office.



In Japan, the Prime Minister's Cabinet includes the Cabinet
Office and the Board of Audit.  The majority of Cabinet
ministers are required to be Diet members.  Although most
citizens are technically eligible to serve in the Cabinet,
members of the military are specifically prohibited.  All
serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, which means
that they can be asked to resign at any time.  If this occurs,
he or she returns to his regular Diet duties.
 In the United States, the President's Cabinet includes the
Vice President of the United States, the head of the 15
executive departments, and six other cabinet level advisors.
Most of these positions are appointed by the President and
confirmed by the United States Senate.  Article II Section 2
of the Constitution directs the President to "nominate, and
by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate,"
members of key executive and judicial positions.





Prime Minister's Cabinet
President's Cabinet

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Vice President of the United States

Minister of Defense  
Secretary of Agriculture

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Secretary of Commerce

Min. of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Tech.
Secretary of Defense

Minister of the Environment
Secretary of Education

Minister of Finance
Secretary of Energy

Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Secretary of Health and Human Services

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
Secretary of Homeland Security

Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Minister of Justice
Secretary of the Interior

Min. of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Secretary of Labor

 Secretary of State

 Secretary of Transportation

 Secretary of the Treasury

 Secretary of Veterans Affairs

 Attorney General of the United States

 and Five Other Cabinet Level Positions


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