Asian Topics on Asia for Educators || The Government of Modern Japan: The Japanese Diet (Parliament)

THE GOVERNMENT OF MODERN JAPAN:
THE JAPANESE DIET (PARLIAMENT)
The Upper House (House of Councillors)

Gerald L. Curtis :: The second house of the Japanese Diet is called the House of Councillors, or the upper house. The upper house has 252 members, each of whom is elected for a six-year term. Half of the members are elected every three years, so each member serves six years, but half of the house is elected every three years.

And the upper house cannot be dissolved. The prime minister cannot dissolve it before the six-year term is over, unlike the situation with the lower house, when he can call an election whenever he likes. So members of the upper house always serve their full six-year term.