Constitutional Imperialism in Japan/Appendix 2

We, in accordance with the express provision of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, hereby promulgate, with the advice of Our Privy Council, the present Ordinance concerning the House of Peers; as to the date of its being carried out, We shall issue a special order.

The 11th day of the 2nd month of the 22nd year of Meiji [February 11, 1889].

​[Countersigned by the Ministers.]

Article I.—The House of Peers shall be composed of the following Members.

1. The members of the Imperial Family.
2. Princes and Marquises.
3. Counts, Viscounts, and Batons who have been elected thereto by the members of their respective orders.
4. Persons who have been elected, one Member for each Fu (City) and Ken (Prefecture), by and from among the taxpayers of the highest amount of direct national taxes on land, industry or trade therein, and who have afterwards been nominated thereto by the Emperor.

Article II.—The male members of the Imperial Family shall take seats in the House on reaching their majority.

Article III.—The members of the orders of Princes and Marquises shall become Members on reaching the age of full twenty-five years.

Article IV.—The members of the orders of Counts, Viscounts and Barons, that after reaching the age of full twenty-five years have been elected by the members of their respective orders, shall become Members for a term of seven years. Rules for their election shall be specially determined by Imperial Ordinance.

The number of Members mentioned in the preceding clause shall not exceed one-fifth of the entire number of the respective orders of Counts, Viscounts and Barons.

Article V.—Any man of above the age of full thirty years, who has been nominated Member by the Emperor for meritorious services to the State or for erudition, shall be a life Member.

Article VI.—One Member shall be elected in each Fu and Ken from among and by the fifteen male inhabitants thereof of above the age of full thirty years, paying therein the highest amount of direct national taxes on land, industry, or trade. When the person thus elected receives his nomination from the Emperor, he shall become Member for a term of seven years. Rules for such election shall be specially determined by Imperial Ordinance.

Article VII.—The number of Members that have been nominated by the Emperor, for meritorious services to the State, or for erudition, or from among men paying the highest amount of direct national taxes on land, industry, or trade in each Fu or Ken, shall not exceed the number of the Members having the title of nobility.

​Article VIII.—The House of Peers shall, when consulted by the Emperor, pass vote upon rules concerning the privileges of the nobility.

Article IX.—The House of Peers decides upon the qualification of its Members and upon disputes concerning elections thereto. The rules for these decisions shall be resolved upon by the House of Peers and submitted to the Emperor for His Sanction.

Article X.—When a Member has been sentenced to confinement, or to any severer punishment, or has been declared bankrupt, he shall be expelled by Imperial Order.

With respect to the expulsion of a Member, as a disciplinary punishment in the House of Peers, the President shall report the facts to the Emperor for His decision.

Any Member that has been expelled shall be incapable of again becoming a Member, unless permission so to do has been granted by the Emperor.

Article XI.—The President and Vice-President shall be nominated by the Emperor, from among the Members, for a term of seven years.

If an elected Member is nominated President or Vice-President, he shall serve in that capacity for the term of his membership.

Article XII.—Every matter, other than what provision has been made for in the present Imperial Ordinance, shall be dealt with according to the provisions of the Law of the Houses.

Article XIII.—When in the future any amendment or addition is to be made in the provisions of the present Imperial Ordinance, the matter shall be submitted to the vote of the House of Peers.