House of Councillors

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/house-of-councillors

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is House of Councillors?248 members, elected for six-year terms
2. What is the legislative chamber?Upper house of the National Diet of Japan, designated as the Sangiin
3. What is the election cycle?Half of the membership is elected every three years, ensuring continuity
4. What is the House of Councillors in Japan?It is the upper house of Japan's parliament, reviewing and debating laws to make sure they are well thought out.
5. Why does the House of Councillors have six‑year terms?Six‑year terms keep the house stable and help plan long‑term policies, so the government can work on big projects.

Bicameral Legislature: A governmental system with two legislative chambers, such as the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in Japan.
Single Non-Transferable Vote (SNTV): An electoral system where voters cast one vote for one candidate in a multi-member district, and the top candidates win.
Proportional Representation (PR): An electoral system where seats are allocated to parties based on the proportion of votes they receive, aiming for broader representation.
Checks and Balances: A system within government where different branches or houses have the power to limit or influence the actions of others.