日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)

にほんこくけんぽう
noun (proper)
the Constitution of Japan
formallegallawpoliticsproper-nounwork-name
1. the Constitution of Japan
Japan's present constitution, promulgated on November 3, 1946 and in force since May 3, 1947. It made the people sovereign, guarantees basic human rights, and in Article 9 renounces war. It has never been amended.
日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)を読(よ)んだ。
I read the Constitution of Japan.
日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)は1947年(ねん)に施行(しこう)された。
The Constitution of Japan came into force in 1947.
日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)の三大原則(さんだいげんそく)は、国民主権(こくみんしゅけん)、基本的人権(きほんてきじんけん)の尊重(そんちょう)、平和主義(へいわしゅぎ)だ。
The three basic principles of the Constitution of Japan are popular sovereignty, respect for fundamental human rights, and pacifism.

In everyday speech it is simply 憲法(けんぽう). It replaced the prewar 大日本帝国憲法(だいにっぽんていこくけんぽう) (the Meiji Constitution).

Common collocations

  • 日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)第九条(だいきゅうじょう): Article 9 of the Constitution (renunciation of war)
  • 日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)の前文(ぜんぶん): the preamble of the Constitution
  • 日本国憲法(にほんこくけんぽう)を改正(かいせい)する: to amend the Constitution

Cultural note

May 3, the day it took effect, is the national holiday 憲法記念日(けんぽうきねんび) (Constitution Memorial Day). Whether to amend it, especially Article 9, is a long-running political debate.

general
Added 2026.10.10 21:20 · Revised 2026.10.10 21:23
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