Japan's constitution, put into effect in 1946, replaced the Meiji constitution of 1889. The 1946 constitution declared that the emperor was to no longer be considered divine.

Japan's Diet (parliament) consists of a house of Representatives, and a House of Councilors. On January 7, 1989, Emperor Hirohito died and left the throne to his son, Akihito. Akihito was the first Crown Prince to marry a commoner, Michiko shoda.