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JAPAN.
Constitution and Government.
The system of government of the Japanese empire is as yet but imperfectly known. The supreme head of the State is an hereditary Emperor called Mikado, or "the Venerable," whose name is said to be known only to the princes of the Imperial family, and who appears to be considered of semi-divine origin. At his side stands a second Emperor, the Ziogoon, "Great Lord," or, as commonly styled, the Tycoon, whose office also is hereditary in his family, and who represents the central executive. But neither the Mikado nor the Tycoon seem to be possessed of absolute authority, extending over the whole State. The government of the country is partly vested in a number of feudal princes, or Daimios, proprietor in their own right of a more or less extensive territory.
There exists no regular law of succession to the throne, but in case of death of the Mikado, or of his abdication-the latter extremely frequent in modern times— the crown devolves generally, not on his son, but on either the eldest or the most distinguished member of his house. It is not uncommon that palace intrigues settle the choice, the only condition of legality of which is that the elect should be member of the Shi sinwo, the "Four Imperial Relatives," or Royal Families of Japan. The throne can be, and has frequently been, occupied by a female, who, however, is not allowed to remain single, but must seek a consort within the limit of the Shi sinwo.
The administration of the empire is carried on by two Councils of State, the first, called the Gorogio, composed of five members, and the second, the Onwakado-uchisri, of seven members. Over the first council, which more immediately represents the executive authority, persides the Gotario, or prime-minister, who occupies the post of regent of Japan, in the event of minority, or during the temporary illness of the Tycoon. The Gotario is elected by the two Councils of State and the principal Daimios of the empire, from among the latter class.
The Daimios form among themselves the Great Council of the empire, and in order that they may be known to the people, an official list of their names is published periodically at Yedo, the capital. The list gives the family name and genealogy of each, as well as the fullest particulars of his family, his wife, the names of his sons' wives, and his daughters' husbands, the number of his residences, the extent and value of his territorial and other property, the uniform of his retainers, the design of his coat of arms, the flag carried on his ships, and the shape and colour of the leather covering of his spears of state, carried before him on visits to the Mikado and the Tycoon. A list of Daimios published at Yedo in 1862, stated their number at 266, with incomes varying from 10,000 to 610,500 koban, or from about £15,000 to £915,500. The territory of each Daimio forms a sovereignty within itself, governed, in the case of the more powerful magnates, by a Secretary of State, called Karo, ani a number of assistant ministers going by the title of Byshing, who are often persons of high rank. It is reported that "some Byshing are wealthier men than the majority of the Daimios, dwelling in splendid castles, and recognised by the Yedo government,
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