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 Bureaus 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
- Six departments and twelve divisions to handle the drafting of proposed legislation. (The organizational chart below shows the responsibilities handled by each department and division.)
- Superintendent of Legislation (assigned to work on important legal issues under the direction of the Commissioner General)
- General Affairs Division
Full Number: 75 staff members other than the Commissioner General
| Basic Legislative Supervisory Dept. |
Basic Legislative Div. |
Commission on the Constitution |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Supervision Div. |
Review of drafting bills Maintenance and dissemination of information on legislation |
|
| 1st Dept. |
1st Div. |
Committee on Fundamental National Policies Committee on Rules and Administration Committee on Discipline |
| 2nd Div. |
Committee on Cabinet Committee on Oversight of Administration Special Committee on Regional Revitalization and Formation of a Digital Society Special Committee on Consumer Affairs |
|
| 2nd Dept. |
1st Div. |
Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour Research Committee on National Life, the Economy and Local Affairs |
| 2nd Div. |
Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour Committee on Economy and Industry Research Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, Sustainable Society |
|
| 3rd Dept. |
1st Div. |
Committee on General Affairs Special Committee on Political Reform |
| 2nd Div. |
Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee on Environment Special Committee on Disasters Special Committee on Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake |
|
| 4th Dept. |
1st Div. |
Committee on Financial Affairs Committee on Budget Committee on Audit |
| 2nd Div. |
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Land and Transport Special Committee on Official Development Assistance and Related Matters as well as Okinawa and Northern Problems Special Committee on North Korean Abduction Issue and Related Matters Research Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security |
|
| 5th Dept. |
1st Div. |
Committee on Judicial Affairs |
| 2nd Div. |
Committee on Education, Culture and Science Committee on Cabinet |
