National Diet

'(Kokkai). The legislative branch of the Japanese government. According to the constitution of Japan, the  National Diet is "the highest organ of state power" and the "sole law-making organ of the State." The National Diet consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives (Shugiin), or lower house, and the House of Councillors (Sangiin), or upper house. All National Diet members are selected in popular elections. (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)