The Constitution having been granted by the Emperor of his free grace,
it is considered impious to criticize it or to suggest any change in it,
since this would imply that His Majesty's work was not wholly perfect.
To understand the Constitution, it is necessary to read it in
conjunction with the authoritative commentary of Marquis Ito, which was
issued at the same time. Mr. Coleman very correctly summarizes the
Constitution as follows[51]:--
Article I of the Japanese Constitution provides that "The Empire
of Japan shall be reigned over and governed by a line of Emperors
unbroken for ages eternal."
"By reigned over and governed," wrote Marquis Ito in his
_Commentaries on the Constitution of Japan_, "it is meant that
the Emperor on His Throne combines in Himself the Sovereignty of
the State and the Government of the country and of His subjects."
Article 3 of the Constitution states that "the Emperor is sacred
and inviolate." Marquis Ito's comment in explanation of this is
peculiarly Japanese. He says, "The Sacred Throne was established
at the time when the heavens and earth became separated. The
Empire is Heaven-descended, divine and sacred; He is pre-eminent
above all His subjects. He must be reverenced and is inviolable.
He has, indeed, to pay due respect to the law, but the law has no
power to hold Him accountable to it.
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