| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Shugiin
|
| Date of creation |
1947 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
According to the Rules of the House of Representatives, Article 92, the Committee on Judicial Affairs deals with matters under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. |
| Membership |
The Committee has thirty-five members, who are nominated by the Speaker in proportion to the numerical strengths of political parties and groups in the House. The term of office of Committee members is for the duration of their term as Members of the Diet. The term of office of Members of the House of Representatives is four years. If the House is dissolved, however, their term ends concurrently. According to the House regulations, the chairperson of a standing committee is elected in the House, but in practice is nominated by the House Speaker without an election being held. |
| Working methods |
When any bill has been referred to a committee, the committee hears its purport prior to consideration. A committee may set up sub-committees, may hold open hearings on important measures of popular concern and for general purposes, and may hear views from interested parties or people of learning and experience. When the debate on a matter is closed, the Chairperson puts it to a vote. When a committee has completed consideration of a measure or matter referred to it, it prepares a report containing a brief explanation of the reasons for its decision, expenses and other matters, and submits it to the Speaker through the Chairperson.
In addition to the above described deliberation of bills, the Committee has an important role to play in prompting the Government to respond by conducting general deliberations particularly on human rights issues. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
Before a bill, petition or other matter is considered at a plenary sitting, the Speaker refers it to a committee which then examines it and reports thereon to the House. A committee may hold a combined meeting with other committees by arrangement, if it needs to do so. |
| Relations with external bodies |
A committee may request the Cabinet or the government or public authorities and others to produce reports and documents necessary for its consideration or investigation. A committee may request the presence of a Minister of State or Government official at a meeting.
Representatives of NGOs (e.g. the Japan Federation of Bar Associations) are sometimes invited to attend meetings of the Committee on Judicial Affairs as witnesses. |
| Subjects dealt with |
The establishment of a new human rights remedy system (The Human Rights Protection Bill); Death penalty system. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
Shugiin - House of Representatives
7-1 Nagatacho 1, Chiyoda-ku
100-8960 TOKYO |
| Phone |
+81 3 35 81 51 11 |
| Fax |
+ 81 3 35 81 29 00 |
| E-mail |
jpndiet@shugiinjk.go.jp |
| Website |
http://www.shugiin.go.jp
|
|
|
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Kozo Yamamoto |
| Notes |
Chairman |
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Mr. Hiroto Kondo |
| Notes |
Director |
