ever kind, that relate to the affairs of the State, require the countersignature of a Minister of State.
Article LVI.—The Privy Council shall, in accordance with the provisions for the organization of the Privy Council, deliberate upon important matters of State, when they have been consulted by the Emperor.
Chapter V.—The Judicature
Article LVII.—The Judicature shall be exercised by the Courts of Law according to law, in the name of the Emperor. The organization of the Courts of Law shall be determined by law.
Article LVIII.—The judges shall be appointed from among those who possess proper qualifications according to law. No judge shall be deprived of his position, unless by way of criminal sentence or disciplinary punishment.
Article LIX.—Trials and judgments of a Court shall be conducted publicly. When, however, there exists any fear that such publicity may be prejudicial to peace and order, or to the maintenance of public morality, the public trial may be suspended by provision of law or by the decision of the Court of Law.
Article LX.—All matters that fall within the competency of a special Court shall be specially provided for by law.
Article LXI.—No suit at law, which relates to rights alleged to have been infringed by the illegal measures of the executive authorities, and which shall come within the competency of the Court of Administrative Litigation specially established by law, shall be taken cognizance of by a Court of Law.
Chapter VI.—Finance
Article LXII.—The imposition of a new tax or the modification of the rates (of an existing one) shall be determined by law.
However, all such administrative fees or other revenue having the nature of compensation shall not fall within the category of the above clause.
The raising of national loans and the contracting of other liabilities to the charge of the National Treasury, except those that are provided in the Budget, shall require the consent of the Imperial Diet.
Article LXIII.—The taxes levied at present shall, in so far as are not remodelled by new law, be collected according to the old system.
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