Imperial edict - Shosho

It is the highest document issued by the Emperor. Its provisions can be found in official ordinances under the ancient Ritsuryo system, but in modern times, the format and issuance procedures were stipulated in an official ordinance enacted in February 1907 (Meiji 40). According to this, Imperial Rescripts are used to proclaim important matters concerning the Imperial Family, and to announce to the people Imperial decrees relating to the exercise of the Emperor's supreme prerogatives, such as ascending to the throne, declaring war, making peace, convening the Imperial Diet, and dissolving the House of Representatives. The format is that the Emperor personally signs the document and affixes his Imperial Seal, and for documents related to the Imperial Family, the Minister of the Imperial Household fills in the date and countersigns it together with the Prime Minister. For documents relating to the exercise of sovereign prerogatives, the Prime Minister fills in the date and countersigns it together with the other Ministers of State. Under the Constitution of Japan established after the Second World War, this was completely abolished, and the Imperial Rescript form is now only used for the Emperor's acts in matters of state, such as convening the Diet and dissolving the House of Representatives.

[Masaru Tokinotani]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

天皇が発給する最高の文書。古代の律令(りつりょう)体制のもとで公式令(くしきりょう)にその規定がみえるが、近代では1907年（明治40）2月制定の公式令によって書式、発布手続が規定された。それによれば、詔書は皇室の大事を宣布し、践祚(せんそ)、即位、宣戦、講和、帝国議会召集、衆議院解散など天皇大権の施行に関する勅旨を国民に宣布するものとされている。形式は、天皇が親署し御璽(ぎょじ)を捺印(なついん)、皇室関係のものは宮内(くない)大臣が年月日を記入し、総理大臣とともに副署する。大権施行に関するものは総理大臣が年月日を記入し、他の国務大臣とともに副署する。第二次世界大戦後の日本国憲法のもとでは全面的に廃止され、ただ国会召集、衆議院解散など、天皇の国事行為の範囲に限って詔書の形式が用いられている。

［時野谷勝］

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