| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Shugiin
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| Date of creation |
20 May 1947 |
| Last renewal date |
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| Mandate |
The Committee is competent to deal with matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Article 92, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). It considers the measures and other matters which come into its respective spheres of work, and is authorized to investigate matters relating to government which fall under its jurisdiction (Article 41, Diet Law, and Article 94, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). It may request cabinet, government offices and other public entities to produce reports and records necessary for its consideration or investigation (Article 104, Diet Law). During its examination or investigation of a matter, one of its members may pose questions to a minister, a senior deputy minister or a parliamentary secretary. Furthermore, its Chair may request the presence of a government informant to hear his/her explanation on precise or technical matters relating to the administration; summon sworn witnesses for its consideration or investigation; and request the attendance of an informant to hear his/her views (Articles 45-II, 45-III, 53, 85-II, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). It may dispatch its members for consideration or investigation (Article 55, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives) and may propose bills concerning matters falling under its jurisdiction (Article 50-II, Diet Law). |
| Membership |
The Committee is composed of 30 members (Article 92, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). They are appointed and nominated by the House Speaker, from among political parties and groups in the House according to their representation in the House (Article 46, Diet Law, and Article 37, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). They are appointed at the beginning of a Diet session, and hold their membership until their term of office as members of the Diet expires (Article 42, Diet Law).
The term of office of members of the House of Representatives is four years, but may be terminated before if the House is dissolved (Article 45, Constitution of Japan).
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| Working methods |
The agenda is determined after discussion of the Committee's bureau at the bureau meeting.
Regarding the organization of proceedings, the Committee's Chair arranges its business and maintains order in the Committee (Article 48, Diet Law). No business can be transacted or decision taken in the committee unless at least one-half of its members are present (Article 49, Diet Law). No persons other than Diet members are in principle admitted to committee meeting as visitors. However, this provision does not apply to the media or any other persons who have obtained the permission of the Committee Chair. (In practice, members of the general public are widely admitted as visitors to meetings upon the introduction of a House Member and with the approval of the Chair.) The Committee may hold closed meetings if it so decides (Article 52, Diet Law) and may set up subcommittees (Article 43, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
The Committee may hold open hearings on important measures and matters of popular concern for general purposes, and hear views from the interested parties or experts (Article 51, Diet Law). It may, through the House Speaker, request the presence of the prime minister, a minister, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, a senior deputy minister, a parliamentary secretary or a government special adviser at its meeting (Article 71, Diet Law). Where necessary, the Chair may request the presence of a government informant and hear his/her explanation on the matters in question (Article 45-lll, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
When the debate on a matter is closed, its Chair announces the question and puts it to a vote (Article 50, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). All matters are decided in the committee by a majority vote of the members present. In the case of a tie, its Chair has the casting vote (Article 50, Diet Law). It may propose a bill concerning matters falling under its jurisdiction (Article 50-II, Diet Law). A bill becomes a law on passage by both Houses, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution (Article 59, Constitution). Follow-up, if any, may be conducted by questioning the government in the general deliberation of the Diet.
The major information sources of the Committee are the Research Bureau of the House of Representatives; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministry for the Economy, Trade and Industry; and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Upon completion of its examination or investigation of a measure or matter referred to it, the Committee prepares a written report containing a brief explanation of the reasons for its decision, expenses and other matters, and submits it to the Speaker through its Chair (Article 86, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
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| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
Interaction with the plenary session of the Diet: when a measure or matter which has been considered by the Committee is brought to a sitting, its Chair first reports on its proceedings and results (Article 115, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
Interaction with the counterpart committee of the House of Councillors: the Committee may hold a joint meeting with the counterpart committee of the House of Councillors after consultation between both committees (Article 44, Diet Law).
The Committee may hold joint meetings with other committees by arrangement, where necessary (Article 60, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
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| Relations with external bodies |
Relationship with the government: the committee may request cabinet, government offices and other public entities to produce reports and records necessary for its consideration or investigation (Article 104, Diet Law). It may, through the House Speaker, request the presence of the prime minister, a minister, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, a senior deputy minister, a parliamentary secretary or a government special adviser at its meeting (Article 71, Diet Law). Where necessary, the Chair may request the presence of a government official and hear his/her explanation on the matters in question (Article 45-lll, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
Relationship with civil society: the Committee may hold open hearings on important measures and matters of popular concern for general purposes, and hear the views of interested parties or experts (Article 51, Diet Law). It may, where necessary, request the attendance of an informant to hear his/her views (Article 85-II, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives). Every Japanese enjoys the right of petition (Article 16, Constitution). The Committee considers the petition sent by the House Speaker and reports its results to the House. Petitions which have been adopted by the House and are considered appropriate for Cabinet action are transmitted to the Cabinet (Articles 79 - 82, Diet Law, and Articles 171 - 179, Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
It is not customary for a House committee member(s) to attend major intergovernmental negotiating forums.
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| Subjects dealt with |
The following issues have been dealt with recently: need to establish a special organ to unify negotiation of FTAs and EPAs; ideal FTA and EPA strategy for Japan; importance of coordination among competent ministries, government agencies and institutions in FTA and EPA talks. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
House of Representatives, 1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8960 |
| Phone |
+81 3 3581 5111 |
| Fax |
+81 3 3581 2900 |
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PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
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SECRETARY
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| Name |
Mr. Yoshihiro Komazaki |
| Notes |
Secretary General |
| Address (if different from above) |
Secretariat, House of Representatives, 1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8960 |
| Phone |
+81 3 3581 5111 |
| Fax |
+81 3 3581 2900 |
| E-mail |
JpnDiet@shugiinjk.go.jp |
| web site: |
http://www.shugiin.go.jp
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| Notes |
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