Government of Teiko

The government of Teiko, formally referred to as His Majesty's Government, is a constitutional monarchy in which the power of the prince is limited. As in many other states, the government is divided into three branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.

The government runs under the framework established by the Constitution of Teiko, adopted in 1986. It is a federal state, containing seven prefectures and four special administrative regions, with the prince as its head of state. His role is ceremonial but has reserve authority and power related to government. The Great Council of the State, comprising the ministers of state and the chancellor of the realm, directs and controls the government in behalf of the prince. The great council is formed by the chancellor of the realm, who is the head of government. He or she is elected via direct plurality voting and appointed to office by the prince.

The Teiko Royal Council is the legislature, the organ of the legislative branch. It is a unicameral legislature compose of 250 elected councillors representing either single district constituencies or prefectures elected directly by the people. The Supreme Court and other inferior courts make up the Judicial branch, and they are independent from the executive and the legislative branches.

History
Prior to its full independence after the World War 2, Teiko has been under Japanese control first as province from 1870-1895 and as a vassal state from 1895-1946.

Since Himura Kenshin became the first modern Chancellor of the Realm in 1870, Teiko had been led by several chancellors from different parties. The 1984 Teiko Constitutional Crises, ushered the idea of a federal government in Teiko crippling other political parties. Since the reforms, the country has been under the banner of the Teiko National Party, the union of then Socialist Party of Teiko and Teiko Innovation Party. Reforms by former Chancellor Sasuke Gemba brought the country closer to its current state by decentralizing government autonomy and power to local prefectures and allowing themselves to create and enact rules of their own.

Despite several changes in the constitution, the basic structure of government has remained the same. The Government of Teiko is made up of four branches: the Prince, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.

The federal executive power is held chiefly by the Teiko Premier and the The Prince although the former performs most of the daily executive functions together with the other appointed members of the Cabinet of Teiko while legislation is remains in the hands of the elected members of the Teiko Royal Council and sovereignty is vested in the Teikonian people. The government abides by the constitutional check and balances as both the executive and legislative branches are checked by the Supreme Court of Teiko. All branches of the government are located within Tetsuya Special Administrative District, the capital city of Teiko.

The Prince
The Prince of Teiko (王子) is the head of the Imperial Family and the ceremonial head of state and the executive, legislative and judicial branch of the Federal Government of Teiko. Unlike other countries exercising constitutional monarchy, the Prince still is considered as the acting commander-in-chief of the Teikonian Royal Army (Teiko Royal Army) which he may or may not delegate to the Premier.

Article 4 of the Constitution of Teiko delegates the Prince the following ceremonial roles:
 * 1) Inauguration of the Premier as elected by the Teikonian people.
 * 2) Appointment of the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court as recommended by the Cabinet and approved by the Teiko Royal Council.

While the Cabinet is the source of executive power and most of its power are exercised directly by the Premier himself, several of its powers are exercised by the Prince. The powers exercised via the Prince, as stipulated by Article 4 Sections 3 to 7 of the Constitution of Teiko, are:
 * 1) Promulgation of amendments of the constitution, laws, cabinet orders and treaties.
 * 2) Ratification of amendments of the constitution and bills/resolutions presented by the Teiko Royal Council through royal assent.
 * 3) Convocation and Dissolution of the Teiko Royal Council.
 * 4) Attestation of the appointment and dismissal of Ministers of State and other officials as provided for by law, and of full powers and credentials of Ambassadors and Ministers.
 * 5) Attestation of general and special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
 * 6) Awarding of honors.
 * 7) Attestation of instruments of ratification and other diplomatic documents as provided for by law.
 * 8) Decide on general amnesty, special amnesty, commutation of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.
 * 9) Receiving foreign ambassadors and ministers.
 * 10) Performance of ceremonial functions.

The Prince is known to hold the nominal ceremonial authority. For example, the Prince is the only person that has the authority to appoint the Premier of Teiko, even though the Premier is actually voted by the Teikonian people through a plurality voting system. One such example can be prominently seen in the 2012 Dissolution of the Teiko Royal Council. The Council was expected to be dissolved on the advice of the Premier but was temporarily unable to do so for the next general election, as both the Prince and Princess on an official state visit to Japan.

Unlike its European counterpart, the Prince is not the source of sovereign power and the government does not act under his name although prior to 1986, the Prince exercises several absolute power which led to the 1986 Teiko Constitutional Crises. Instead, the Prince represents the State and appoints other high officials in the name of the State, in which the Teikonian people holds sovereignty. Article 4 Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution of Teiko, in accordance with the Imperial Household Law, allows a regency to be established in the Prince's name, should the Prince be unable to perform his duties.

The Current Prince of Teiko (今上王子) is Kazuhito, he is officially enthroned on January 30, 1990. He is styled as His Majesty (国王陛下) and his reign bears the era name of Yoshi. Kiyoshi, the Crown Prince of Teiko and the only son of Kazuhito, is the heir apparent to the Throne of Teiko.

Executive
The Executive branch of Teiko is headed by the Premier. The Premier is the head of the Cabinet, and is elected by the Teikonian people through a plurality voting system during National Elections. The Cabinet consists of the Ministers of State and may be appointed or dismissed by the Premier at any time. Explicitly defined to be the source of executive power, it is in practice, however, mainly exercised by the Premier himself. The practice of its powers is responsible to the Central-46, and as a whole, the Central-46 may dismiss the Cabinet en masse with a motion of no confidence.

Premier
Main article: Premier of Teiko

The Premier of Teiko is the highest elected official in the country elected by the Teikonian people and serves a term of six years. The constitution clearly states that no other premier may hold the office for more than two consecutive terms. It is possible however that premier may hold more than two non-consecutive terms although this has never happened yet. The Premier heads the Cabinet and exercises "control and supervision" of the executive branch, and is the head of government. The Premier may also be the commander-in-chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces on the prerogative of the Prince. The Premier is vested with the power to present bills to the Central-46, to sign laws, to declare a state of emergency, and may delegate emergency powers to the Prince. He or she presides over the Cabinet and appoints, or dismisses, the other Cabinet ministers. He or she must also enjoy full confidence of the Teiko Royal Council to maintain in power. However, a referendum for a vote of no confidence can be patterned to impeachment trial in our countries.

As the Premier is directly responsible to the Central-46, only incumbent members of the council at immediately preceding the elections shall be allowed to run and he or she is required to report to the Central-46 whenever demanded. The Premier must also be both a civilian and a have at least completed a full three year term as district representative to the Teiko Royal Council. Members of the Imperial Family are prohibited from running into any government office as such they also cannot be elected as Premier of Teiko. The Prime Minister’s official residence and office is the Kōkyo, a mansion located adjacent to the Teiko National Council Hall in Tetsuya.

The current Premier is Seijuro Akashi from the Teiko National Party who was inaugurated on January 30, 2010. By constitution his term will end on January 2016 but he retains the prerogative to run for one more term. Akashi Seijuro is the youngest to hold the office to date and is the first openly-gay head of state and government of Teiko. He is also the third person from the Akashi Clan to hold the office after Ryuichi Akashi and Kouzo Akashi.

Cabinet
Main article: Cabinet of Teiko

The Cabinet of Teiko consists of the Ministers of State and other commissioners of several key auxiliary commissions of the Government of Teiko and is headed by the Premier of Teiko. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Premier unless a referendum by the Central-46 against the candidate is raised and is passed with a 1/2 majority. Under the Cabinet Law, the number of members of the Cabinet appointed, excluding the Premier himself, must be twenty-five or less, but may only be increased to thirty should a special need arises. It is to be noted that the Crown Prince of Teiko is an ex officio spectator of the Cabinet with limited powers. Members of the Cabinet does not entirely need to come from the Central-46 although majority of them does have to be incumbent district representatives. The Cabinet is required to resign en masse while still continuing its functions, till the appointment of a new Premier, when the following situation arises:
 * 1) The Teiko Royal Council passes a non-confidence resolution, or rejects a confidence resolution, unless the Teiko Royal Council is dissolved within the next ten (10) days.
 * 2) When there is a vacancy in the post of the Premier, or upon the first convocation of the Teiko Royal Council after a general election of the members of the Teiko Royal Council.

The Cabinet exercises its power in two different ways. In practice, much of its power is exercised by the Premier, while others are exercised nominally by the Prince.

Article 5 of the Constitution of Teiko expects the Cabinet to perform the following functions, in addition to general administration:
 * 1) Administer the law faithfully; conduct affairs of state.
 * 2) Manage foreign affairs.
 * 3) Conclude treaties. However, it shall obtain prior or, depending on circumstances, subsequent approval of the Diet.
 * 4) Administer the civil service, in accordance with standards established by law.
 * 5) Prepare the budget, and present it to the Diet.
 * 6) Enact cabinet orders in order to execute the provisions of this Constitution and of the law. However, it cannot include penal provisions in such cabinet orders unless authorized by such law.

Under the Constitution, all laws and cabinet orders must be signed by the competent Minister and countersigned by the Premier, before being formally ratified and promulgated by the Prince. Also, all members of the Cabinet cannot be subject to legal action without the consent of the Premier; however, without impairing the right to take legal action. As of 2014, there are currently 14 in-office cabinet ministries excluding the constitutional commissions and other floating offices. Kiyoshi, the Crown Prince of Teiko will be considered member of the Cabinet when he reaches the age of 21.

Ministries
The Ministries of Teiko consist of fourteen ministries and the Cabinet Office. Each ministry is headed by a Minister of State, which are mainly senior legislators, and are appointed from among the members of the Central-46 by the Premier. The Cabinet Office, formally headed by the Prime Minister, is an agency that handles the day-to-day affairs of the Cabinet. The ministries are the most influential part of the daily-exercised executive power, and since few ministers serve for more than a year or so necessary to grab hold of the organisation, most of its powers lies within the senior bureaucrats.

Teiko Royal Council (Central-46)
Main article: Teiko Royal Council (Central-46)

The Teiko Royal Council (also called the Central-46) of the Teikonian government was first established in 1882 via a temporary resolution adopting the use of a government body that will create laws that will be implemented in the country. The first assembly which was on 29 July 1882 in the Imperial Palace was composed of 46 original representatives from the noble families of Teiko hence the name Central-46 and was headed by Sanosuke Sagara, considered as the first Sangdaedeung of Teiko. The Sangdaedeung serves as the official speaker of the council and facilitates the parliamentary sessions.

The Teiko National Council is a unicameral legislature composed of 250 district representatives and 50 party list representative of whom each serves a 6 year term and can run for a maximum of three consecutive terms. After three consecutive terms, a representative may opt to retire from the legislature, be appointed for a government post in the executive branch or rest for six years in which they may be able to run again for another three consecutive terms. The number of representatives in each prefecture is relative to its population size. The legislative branch took its current form in 1987 in line with the Teiko Constitution of 1986. The Teiko National Council holds its congressional meetings at the Teiko National Council Hall.

The Central-46 members are strictly partisan and normally the Teiko Premier and Sandaedeung comes from the majority party. Elections for the Central-46 occurs every three years. There are also several committees under the council and among the most controversial is the Blue Ribbon Committee, the only committee given power by the Teiko constitution to put into trial government officials with impeachment cases. There are four more primary posts in the council after the Sangdaedeung which are the Deputy Sangdaedeung, President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader and Minority Leader. The last election was held on 2012. Currently, the Teiko National Party holds the majority of the seats while Democratic Party of Teiko and Liberal Party of Teiko comes in second and third respectively. Since 1986, only the five parties are actively participating in the council with some representatives running independently.

Sangdaedeung
Main article: Sangdaedeung of Teiko

The Sangdaedeung is the head and the presiding officer of the Central-46. He is considered to be the head of the legislative branch. The Sangdaedeung is not necessarily from the majority party and is elected two weeks prior to the first session of the Central-46. The term Sangdaedeung was adopted from the Korean kingdom of Silla legislative system which literally means First Rank of Peers. Since the inception of the office, there has been several debates regarding the use and abuse of the Sangdaedeung powers and its correlation to the Teiko Premier. Today, its rights and privileges has been clearly bounded by the current Teiko constitution. The Sangdaedeung can be referred to as the Speaker of the House in other countries.

The current Sangdaedeung is Kensuke Fukui who was elected on February 14, 2013. Generally, they do not have limits in their term in office and will continue to assume power as long as they are voted by their fellow representatives. Fukui is currently in his third term, a consecutive three year in office is considered as one term.

Supreme Court of Teiko
Main article: Supreme Court of Teiko

The Supreme Court of Teiko was established pursuant to the Article 7 of the 1986 Teiko Constitution as the highest court in the Socialist Republic of Teiko. It has an ultimate jurisdiction over all local courts and its subordinates. In the Teiko legal system, the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the constitutional law, although it may only act within the context if a case in which it has jurisdiction.

The Court consists of a chief justice and five associate justices who are appointed by the premier and confirmed by the Central-46 in a 1/2 majority vote. Once appointed, justices have lifetime tenure unless otherwise resigned, retire or removed after being impeached. Impeachment of a chief justice is done by the Blue Ribbon Committee with the consent and approval of a 1/2 majority vote of the Central-46. Any other court cannot in anyway interfere with the investigation of the Blue Ribbon Committee.