Chapter 9. Amendments

This chapter consists only of article 96, which states that amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Diet, followed by a simple majority vote in a popular referendum. Under the administrations of Abe Shinzō, proposals to lower the bar for a vote in the Diet have been discussed as an element of constitutional revision. In addition, laws for how a popular referendum on constitutional revision might be held have been passed.

Chapter 9. Amendments

Article 96. Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify.
Amendments when so ratified shall immediately be promulgated by the Emperor in the name of the people, as an integral part of this Constitution.