In Japan the Emperor is the symbol of the State while executive power is vested in the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister

Background

Article 1 of the Constitution of Japan makes the Emperor the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power. Article 4 provides that the Emperor shall perform only such acts in matters of state as are provided for in the Constitution and shall not have powers related to government. Article 3 requires the advice and approval of the Cabinet for all acts of the Emperor in matters of state. Article 65 vests executive power in the Cabinet, and Article 66 provides that the Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, who is its head, and other Ministers of State, all of whom must be civilians. The Cabinet, in the exercise of executive power, is collectively responsible to the Diet. Article 67 requires the Prime Minister to be designated from among the members of the Diet by a resolution of the Diet, and Article 6 then has the Emperor appoint the Prime Minister as designated by the Diet. Under Article 68 the Prime Minister appoints the Ministers of State, a majority of whom must be chosen from among the members of the Diet, and may remove them at will. Article 69 provides that if the House of Representatives passes a non-confidence resolution or rejects a confidence resolution, the Cabinet must resign en masse unless the House of Representatives is dissolved within ten (10) days.