cles, the Cabinet shall continue its functions until the time
when a new Prime Minister is appointed.

Article 72. The Prime Minister, representing the Cabinet,
submits bills, reports on general national affairs and foreign
relations to the Diet and exercises control and supervision over
various administrative branches.

Article 73. The Cabinet, in addition to other general
administrative functions, shall perform the following functions:

(i) Administer the law faithfully; conduct affairs of state;

(ii) Manage foreign affairs;

(iii) Conclude treaties. However, it shall obtain prior
or, depending on circumstances, subsequent
approval of the Diet;

(iv) Administer the civil service, in accordance with
standards established by law;

(v) Prepare the budget, and present it to the Diet;

(vi) Enact cabinet orders in order to execute the provisions
of this Constitution and of the law. However, it cannot
include penal provisions in such cabinet orders unless
authorized by such law.

(vii) Decide on general amnesty, special amnesty, commutation
of punishment, reprieve, and restoration of rights.

Article 74. All laws and cabinet orders shall be signed by
the competent Minister of state and countersigned by the Prime
Minister.

Article 75. The Ministers of state, during their tenure of
office, shall not be subject to legal action without the consent
of the Prime Minister. However, the right to take that action is
not impaired hereby.

CHAPTER VI. JUDICIARY

Article 76. The whole judicial power is vested in a Supreme
Court and in such inferior courts as are established by law.

(2) No extraordinary tribunal shall be established, nor
shall any organ or agency of the Executive be given final
judicial power.

(3) All judges shall be independent in the exercise of their
conscience and shall be bound only by this Constitution and the
laws.

Article 77. The Supreme Court is vested with the rule-making
power under which it determines the rules of procedure and of
practice, and of matters relating to attorneys, the internal
discipline of the courts and the administration of judicial
affairs.

(2) Public procurators shall be subject to the rule-making
power of the Supreme Court.

(3) The Supreme Court may delegate the po