The Japanese prime minister is ultimately responsible to the people of the nation. The prime minister shares responsibility with all the cabinet members, but they do not answer directly to the people but to the legislature. If the legislators stop supporting the cabinet at any time, a vote of no confidence is passed and either the cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, must resign, or the prime minister must call a general election. Overall the Japanese system is designed to keep any single individual from having very great power; this seems to have been a feature of Japanese government since early times.The Emperor of Japan is a symbol of the state and the unity of the people. He is not involved in the government of Japan. The heads of regional governments and local assembly members are chosen by election. ...
