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The Collapse of the 1955 Regime In October 1955, the Socialist Party of Japan, which had been split into two factions, unified. The following month, the Liberal Democratic Party was established by combining two parties, the conservative Liberal party, and the Democratic Party. This political systems was known as the "1955 Regime". Through the two-party system, the Liberal Democratic Party has controlled the administration for a long time. However, in the 1993 general election, the Party fell short of a majority. The Hosokawa coalition government was established and the "1955 Regime" ended. Member Initiated Legislation Since the ordinary Diet session of 1997, member initiated legislation has increased. In the 142nd Diet, fifty cases of such legislation were submitted in the House of Representatives (in addition to 13 cases carried over from the previous session. Seven of these were passed, including NPO law (a bill to facilitate the activities of volunteer and other citizens' groups), "Promotion of Sports Law," (a bill allowing a national soccer lottery) and the "Rehabilitation of Victims of Disasters Law." In addition, it deliberated four cases carried over from the previous session, including six separate bills as part of Policy Reform Bill. Computerization in the Diet Since 1997, the House of Representatives have been using a LAN system. Notebook personal computers have been deployed in each section of the House. In 1999, an electronic mail system and a full text database of the Diet Minutes, which is connected to the bill procedure system, the minutes of the proceedings and the information for the legislative investigation are scheduled to be completed. Home page addresses are: The House of Representatives http://www.shugiin.go.jp The House of Councilors http://www.sangiin.go.jp Laws The Diet Law, Article 40 The Committees: Each House may have two types of Committees, namely Standing Committees and Special Committees. The Diet Law, Article 130 National Diet Library: The National Diet Library shall be established in the Diet under a separate law, in order to assist Diet Members in their study and research. The Diet Law, Article 131 Legislative Bureau: A Legislative Bureau shall be established in each House to assist Diet Members in drafting bills. Each Legislative Bureau shall have one Commissioner General, secretaries and other necessary personnel. The Commissioner General of the Legislative Bureau shall be appointed and dismissed by the presiding officer with the approval of the House, when the Diet is out of session, the presiding officer may accept the resignation of the Commissioner General of the Legislative Bureau. The Commissioner General of the Legislative Bureau shall administer the business of the Legislative Bureau under the supervision of the presiding officer. The secretaries and other personnel of the Legislative Bureau shall be appointed and dismissed by the Commissioner General, with the consent of the presiding officer and the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration. The secretaries of the Legislative Bureau shall work under the direction of the Commissioner General. The Diet Law, Article 132 Secretary: In order to assist Members in carrying out their duties, two secretaries shall be provided for each Member. In addition, one more secretary shall be assigned to assist mainly with policy planning and legislative activation of the Members. The Diet Law, Article 132, 2 The Members' Office Buildings: In order to assist Members in carrying out their duties, the Member's Office Buildings shall be constructed to provide Members with office space. The Standing Committees of the House of Representatives shall be as follows: (The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of members on the committee.) Committee on Cabinet (30) Committee on Local Administration (30) Committee on Judicial Affairs (30) Committee on Foreign Affairs (30) Committee on Finance (40) Committee on Education (30) Committee on Health and Welfare (40) Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (40) Committee on Commerce and Industry (40) Committee on Transport (30) Committee on Communications (30) Committee on Labor (30) Committee on Construction (30) Committee on Security (40) Committee on Science and Technology (25) Committee on Environment (25) Committee on Budget (50) Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration (40) Committee on Rules and Administration (25) Committee on Discipline (20) The Standing Committees of the House of Councilors shall be as follows: Committee on General Affairs (21) Committee on Judicial Affairs (21) Committee on Local Administration and Police Affairs (21) Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense (21) Committee on Financial Affairs (21) Committee on Education, Culture and Science (21) Committee on Health and Welfare (21) Committee on Labor and Social Policy (21) Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (21) Committee on Economy and Industry (21) Committee on Transport, Information and Telecommunication (21) Committee on Land and Environment (21) Committee on Budget (45) Committee on Audit (30) Committee on Oversight of Administration (30) Committee on Rules and Administration (25) Committee on Discipline (10)

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What's New Index 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 vol.1

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