Outline of the Legislative Bureau House of Councillors

The Legislative Bureau of the House of Councillors is:

-	a national organ which was established to assist Members of the House of Councillors to carry out legislative activities.
-	an organ which is independent of the Secretariat of the House of Councillors and is under the supervision of the President of the House of Councillors. The Commissioner General of the Legislative Bureau of the House of Councillors is appointed by the President of the House of Councillors with the approval of the House .

Underlying Laws

-	The Diet law: paragraph 1 of Article 131, "A Legislative Bureau shall be established in each House to assist Diet Members in drafting bills".
-	The Legislative Bureau of the Houses Law (Law No. 92, 1948)

History

At the time of the inauguration of the Diet in May 1947, the Legislative Bureau of the House of Councillors started as a legislative department of the Secretariat of the House. To enhance its functions, the department was separated from the Secretariat and developed into the Legislative Bureau of the House.

Duties

-Formulating bills
-Formulating revisions of bills
-Various research on legal matters

Organization

-	Commissioner General
-	Deputy Commissioner General
-	Superintendent of Legislation (responsible for matters of special missions of the Commissioner General)
-	Five departments and ten divisions (to assist Members in carrying out legislative activities in response to the Committees and the Research Commission and Committees of the House)
-	General Afrairs Division
-	Research Division

Full Number: 75 staff members other than the Commissioner General

organization chart

1st Dept.	1st Div.	Committee on Fundamental National Policies Committee on Rules and Administration Committee on Discipline Commission on the Constitution
1st Dept.	2nd Div.	Committee on Cabinet Committee on Oversight of Administration Special Committee on Consumer Affairs Research Committee on National Life, Economy and Social Security
2nd Dept.	1st Div.	Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour
2nd Dept.	2nd Div.	Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour Committee on Economy and Industry
3rd Dept.	1st Div.	Committee on General Affairs Special Committee on Political Ethics and Election System
3rd Dept.	2nd Div.	Committee on Land and Transport Special Committee on Disasters Special Committee on Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake Research Committee on Society of Cooperative Way of Life and Regional Vitalization
4th Dept.	1st Div.	Committee on Financial Affairs Committee on Budget Committee on Audit
4th Dept.	2nd Div.	Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee on Environment Research Committee on International Affairs, Global Environment and Food Issues
5th Dept.	1st Div.	Committee on Judicial Affairs Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense Special Committee on Okinawa and Northern Problems Special Committee on North Korean Abduction Issue and Related Matters Special Committee on Official Development Assistance and Related Matters
5th Dept.	2nd Div.	Committee on Education, Culture and Science