A Living Human Treasure is, according to UNESCO , a person who possesses to a high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re-creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage . This title or a form of it is awarded by the nation's government to a person who is regarded as a national treasure while still alive. The title is also known as Living National Treasure .
48-704: In 1950, the government of Japan began to designate certain individuals or groups who embodied intangible national cultural values as living human treasures. This was supplementary to buildings or places of great cultural and historical value that were designated as national treasures. Living Human Treasures thus became eligible for special protection and government support. Some of the ancient protected crafts initially were pottery , music , handmade paper , dolls , and swordmaking , but have been expanded to also include song, dance, cuisine, and other categories. Several countries have followed suit with their own official programmes of recognition for intangible cultural values and
96-597: A Shadow Shogun . Unlike his European counterparts , the emperor is not the source of sovereign power and the government does not act under his name. Instead, the emperor represents the state and appoints other high officials in the name of the state, in which the Japanese people hold sovereignty. Article 5 of the Constitution, in accordance with the Imperial Household Law , allows a regency to be established in
144-632: A generalissimo . Although the Emperor was the sovereign who appointed the Shōgun, his roles were ceremonial and he took no part in governing the country. This is often compared to the present role of the Emperor, whose official role is to appoint the Prime Minister. The return of political power to the Emperor (to the Imperial Court) in 1868 meant the resignation of Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu , agreeing to "be
192-560: A state of emergency , and may also dissolve the Diet's House of Representatives at will. The prime minister presides over the Cabinet and appoints, or dismisses, the other Cabinet ministers . Both houses of the National Diet designates the Prime Minister with a ballot cast under the run-off system. Under the Constitution, should both houses not agree on a common candidate, then a joint committee
240-416: A guarantee of sustainable development. (iii) "Intangible cultural heritage" is manifested inter alia in the following domains , on the understanding that the expressions of intangible cultural heritage can simultaneously belong to several of these domains: (iv) Safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage means: "measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage, including
288-463: A scandal. He was named Minister of State in charge of economic and fiscal policy, as well as IT policy, on 5 December 2000, as part of Prime Minister Yoshirō Mori 's second cabinet, but he resigned on 23 January 2001, following criticism regarding 15 million yen he had received from the mutual aid foundation KSD. He said that his secretary had received the money and that it had been returned, but apologized and said that he took "final responsibility as
336-566: A supervisor". Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said that the government believed Nukaga's explanation. Nukaga served as chairman of the LDP Policy Research Council from September 2003 to September 2004. He returned to the position of Minister of State and Director General of the Japan Defense Agency on 31 October 2005, under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi , and remained in that position until September 2006. He
384-468: A term of four years or less; with no limits imposed on the number of terms the Prime Minister may hold. The Prime Minister heads the Cabinet and exercises "control and supervision" of the executive branch, and is the head of government and commander-in-chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces . The prime minister is vested with the power to present bills to the Diet, to sign laws, to declare
432-582: Is 7.8% at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 8% at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and only 1.3% at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. On 12 February 2021, Tetsushi Sakamoto was appointed as the Minister of Loneliness to alleviate social isolation and loneliness across different age groups and genders. The emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family and
480-590: Is a series of ministry-affiliated government agencies and bureaus responsible for government procedures and activities as of 23 August 2022. The legislative branch organ of Japan is the National Diet ( 国会 ) . It is a bicameral legislature, composing of a lower house, the House of Representatives , and an upper house, the House of Councillors . Empowered by the Constitution to be "the highest organ of State power" and
528-400: Is allowed to be established to agree on the matter; specifically within a period of ten days, exclusive of the period of recess. However, if both houses still do not agree to each other, the decision made by the House of Representatives is deemed to be that of the National Diet. Upon designation, the Prime Minister is presented with their commission, and then formally appointed to office by
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#1733085093090576-624: Is ceremonial and he has no powers related to the Government. Instead, it is the Cabinet , comprising the Prime Minister and the Ministers of State , that directs and controls the government and the civil service . The Cabinet has the executive power and is formed by the prime minister, who is the head of government . The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Diet and appointed to office by
624-523: Is the central government of Japan . It consists of legislative , executive and judiciary branches and functions under the framework established by the Constitution of Japan , adopted in 1947 and written by American officials in the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II . Japan is a unitary state , containing forty-seven administrative divisions , with the Emperor as its head of state . His role
672-457: Is the only person that has the authority to appoint the prime minister , even though the Diet has the power to designate the person fitted for the position. One such example can be prominently seen in the 2009 Dissolution of the House of Representatives . The House was expected to be dissolved on the advice of the prime minister, but was temporarily unable to do so for the next general election, as both
720-696: The 2012 election he became subcommittee chairman of the LDP Tax System Research Commission. In April 2015 he also became chief of the LDP "Headquarters for accelerating reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake ". On 8 February 2018, Nukaga announced his intent to resign from his position as head of Heisei Kenkyūkai. This followed a rebellion in which faction members in House of Councillors led by Hiromi Yoshida threatened to leave
768-429: The Cabinet is the source of executive power and most of its power is exercised directly by the prime minister , several of its powers are exercised through the Emperor. The powers exercised via the Emperor, as stipulated by Article 7 of the Constitution, are: These powers are exercised in accordance with the binding advice of the Cabinet. The emperor is known to hold the nominal ceremonial authority. For example, he
816-462: The Emperor . As a candidate designated by the Diet, the prime minister is required to report to the Diet whenever demanded. The prime minister must also be both a civilian and a member of either house of the Diet. The Cabinet of Japan ( 内閣 ) consists of the Ministers of State and the Prime Minister. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Prime Minister, and under the Cabinet Law,
864-460: The House of Councilors being the upper house , and the House of Representatives being the lower house . The members of both houses of the Diet are directly elected by the people , who are the source of sovereignty . The Diet is defined as the supreme organ of sovereignty in the Constitution. The Supreme Court and other lower courts make up the Judicial branch and have all the judicial powers in
912-705: The National Diet Building , the Imperial Palace , the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister's Office and the ministries are all located. Before the Meiji Restoration , Japan was ruled by the government of a successive military shōgun . During this period, effective power of the government resided in the Shōgun, who officially ruled the country in the name of the Emperor. The Shōgun were the hereditary military governors, with their modern rank equivalent to
960-572: The Prussian model of the time. A new aristocracy known as the kazoku was established. It merged the ancient court nobility of the Heian period , the kuge , and the former daimyō , feudal lords subordinate to the shōgun . It also established the Imperial Diet , consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers . Members of the House of Peers were made up of the Imperial Family ,
1008-691: The 32nd UNESCO General Conference in October 2003 agreed to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage . The definitions of what a Living Human Treasure constitute are: (i) Living Human Treasures are persons who possess to a very high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re‐creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage. Each Member State should choose an appropriate title to designate
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#17330850930901056-562: The Cabinet cannot be subject to legal action without the consent of the Prime Minister; however, without impairing the right to take legal action. As of 14 December 2023, the makeup of the Cabinet: The ministries of Japan ( 中央省庁 , Chuo shōcho ) consist of eleven executive ministries and the Cabinet Office . Each ministry is headed by a Minister of State , which are mainly senior legislators, and are appointed from among
1104-508: The Emperor and Empress were visiting Canada . In this manner, the emperor 's modern role is often compared to those of the Shogunate period and much of Japan's history , whereby the emperor held great symbolic authority but had little political power ; which is often held by others nominally appointed by the emperor himself. Today, a legacy has somewhat continued for a retired prime minister who still wields considerable power, to be called
1152-467: The Emperor. The current cabinet is Second Ishiba Cabinet , was formed on 11 November 2024, is led by the prime minister Shigeru Ishiba who assumed office on 1 October 2024. The country has had a Liberal Democratic – Komeito coalition minority government since 2024 . The National Diet is the legislature , the organ of the Legislative branch. The Diet is bicameral , consisting of two houses with
1200-614: The House of Representatives for the first time in 1983 . He joined the Tanaka faction when elected, but along with most of the faction he later joined the Keiseikai founded by Noboru Takeshita , which was later renamed the Heisei Kenkyūkai . He was named Minister of State and Director General of the Japan Defense Agency on 30 July 1998, under Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi , serving in that position until November 1998, when he resigned due to
1248-528: The Kazoku, and those nominated by the Emperor, while members of the House of Representatives were elected by direct male suffrage. Despite clear distinctions between powers of the executive branch and the Emperor in the Meiji Constitution, ambiguity and contradictions in the Constitution eventually led to a political crisis . It also devalued the notion of civilian control over the military , which meant that
1296-410: The Prime Minister to appoint some non-elected Diet officials. The Cabinet is required to resign en masse while still continuing its functions, till the appointment of a new Prime Minister, when the following situation arises: Conceptually deriving legitimacy from the Diet, whom it is responsible to, the Cabinet exercises its power in two different ways. In practice, much of its power is exercised by
1344-423: The Prime Minister, while others are exercised nominally by the Emperor. Article 73 of the Constitution of Japan expects the Cabinet to perform the following functions, in addition to general administration: Under the Constitution, all laws and cabinet orders must be signed by the competent Minister and countersigned by the Prime Minister, before being formally promulgated by the Emperor . Also, all members of
1392-498: The bearers of knowledge and skills, the title of "Living Human Treasures" proposed by UNESCO being indicative. Among the systems in existence, there are already a variety of titles: Master of Art (France), Bearer of Popular Craft Tradition (Czech Republic), National Living Treasure (Republic of Korea), Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Japan and Republic of Korea). (ii) Intangible cultural heritage , or living heritage, consists of practices and expressions, as well as
1440-456: The ceremonial head of state . He is defined by the Constitution to be "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". However, his role is entirely ceremonial and representative in nature. As explicitly stated in article 4 of the Constitution, he has no powers related to government. Article 6 of the Constitution of Japan delegates the Emperor the following ceremonial roles: While
1488-565: The emperor's name, should the emperor be unable to perform his duties. On November 20, 1989, the Supreme Court ruled it doesn't have judicial power over the emperor . The Imperial House of Japan is said to be the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki , Japan was founded by the Imperial House in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu. Emperor Jimmu
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1536-478: The era name of Reiwa. Fumihito is the heir presumptive to the Chrysanthemum Throne . The executive branch of Japan is headed by the prime minister . The prime minister is the head of the Cabinet , and is designated by the legislative organ, the National Diet . The Cabinet consists of the Ministers of State and may be appointed or dismissed by the Prime Minister at any time. Explicitly defined to be
1584-412: The faction unless there was change in leadership. In March he handed over the leadership to Wataru Takeshita , the half-brother of the faction's founder. After that, Nukaga became chief advisor of the faction. In September 2019 Nukaga left the position of subcommittee chairman and became an advisor of the LDP Tax System Research Commission. He remained an authority in the field of economic policy within
1632-827: The identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission through formal and non‐formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage." (Article 2.3) In some countries modern artists can also receive the title of National Artist , however this is not considered an intangible cultural heritage since it does fulfill criteria i and ii. Government of Japan Naruhito [REDACTED] Fumihito [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( LDP ) Second Ishiba Cabinet ( LDP – Komeito coalition ) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Fukushiro Nukaga Kōichirō Genba [REDACTED] Masakazu Sekiguchi Hiroyuki Nagahama Saburo Tokura Kazuo Ueda The Government of Japan
1680-612: The instrument for carrying out" the Emperor's orders. This event restored the country to Imperial rule and the proclamation of the Empire of Japan . In 1889, the Meiji Constitution was adopted in a move to strengthen Japan to the level of western nations, resulting in the first parliamentary system in Asia. It provided a form of mixed constitutional - absolute monarchy (a semi-constitutional monarchy ), with an independent judiciary, based on
1728-410: The knowledge, skills and values associated therewith, that communities and groups recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This heritage is transmitted from generation to generation, for the most part orally. It is constantly recreated in response to changes in the social and cultural environment. It provides individuals, groups and communities with a sense of identity and continuity and constitutes
1776-591: The leadership election, Nukuga remained as Finance Minister in Fukuda's Cabinet, sworn in on 26 September 2007. He was replaced in that post by Bunmei Ibuki on 1 August 2008. Nukaga was reelected in the August 2009 House of Representatives election , which was otherwise disastrous for the LDP. Nukaga was chosen to replace the retiring Yuji Tsushima as head of the Heisei Kenkyūkai. After the LDP returned to government with
1824-424: The members of the Cabinet by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet Office, formally headed by the Prime Minister, is an agency that handles the day-to-day affairs of the Cabinet. The ministries are the most influential part of the daily-exercised executive power, and since few ministers serve for more than a year or so necessary to grab hold of the organisation, most of its power lies within the senior bureaucrats . Below
1872-516: The military could develop and exercise a great influence on politics. Following the end of World War II , the present Constitution of Japan was adopted. It replaced the previous Imperial rule with a form of Western-style liberal democracy . As of 2020, the Japan Research Institute found the national government is mostly analog, because only 7.5% (4,000 of the 55,000) administrative procedures can be completed entirely online. The rate
1920-414: The number of members of the Cabinet appointed, excluding the Prime Minister, must be fourteen or less, but may only be increased to nineteen should a special need arise. Article 68 of the Constitution states that all members of the Cabinet must be civilians and the majority of them must be chosen from among the members of either house of the National Diet . The precise wording leaves an opportunity for
1968-437: The only "sole law-making organ of the State", its houses are both directly elected under a parallel voting system and is ensured by the Constitution to have no discrimination on the qualifications of each members; whether be it based on "race, creed, sex, social status, family origin, education, property or income". The National Diet, therefore, reflects the sovereignty of the people; a principle of popular sovereignty whereby
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2016-615: The people who embody them, including France , Philippines , Romania , South Korea and Thailand . In 1993, the government of South Korea proposed to the UNESCO Executive Board the establishment of a codified "Living Human Treasures" program for all member states. The board adopted a decision and invited member states to establish and promote such national systems. Through its Intangible Cultural Heritage section, UNESCO introduced definitions and guidelines for supporting such living human treasure programmes. The member states at
2064-421: The source of executive power , it is in practice, however, mainly exercised by the prime minister. The practice of its powers is responsible to the Diet, and as a whole, should the Cabinet lose confidence and support to be in office by the Diet, the Diet may dismiss the Cabinet en masse with a motion of no confidence . The Prime Minister of Japan ( 内閣総理大臣 ) is designated by the National Diet and serves
2112-418: The state. The Supreme Court has ultimate judicial authority to interpret the constitution and the power of judicial review . The judicial branch is independent from the executive and the legislative branches. Judges are nominated or appointed by the Cabinet and never removed by the executive or the legislature except during impeachment . The Government of Japan is based in the capital of Tokyo , where
2160-556: The supreme power lies within, in this case, the Japanese people . Fukushiro Nukaga Fukushiro Nukaga ( 額賀 福志郎 , Nukaga Fukushirō , born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who is serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives since October 2023. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party , he has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1983 and represents Ibaraki 's 2nd district. He
2208-422: Was appointed Minister of Finance by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe in a cabinet reshuffle on 27 August 2007. Following Abe's resignation on 12 September, Nukaga initially said that he would run for the position of LDP president (and thus Prime Minister) on 13 September, but, on 14 September, after meeting with Yasuo Fukuda , Nukaga announced that he would back Fukuda for the leadership. Following Fukuda's victory in
2256-563: Was previously the Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2008, and served twice as Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary . Nukaga was born in Asō, Ibaraki , now part of Namegata, Ibaraki . He graduated from Waseda University 's Faculty of Political Science and Economics. After working as a reporter for the Sankei Shimbun , he entered politics and was elected to
2304-499: Was the first Emperor of Japan and the ancestor of all of the Emperors that followed. He is, according to Japanese mythology , the direct descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess of the native Shinto religion, through Ninigi , his great-grandfather. The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito . He was officially enthroned on May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father. He is styled as His Imperial Majesty, and his reign bears
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