erty can be given to, or received by, the
Imperial House, nor can any gifts be made therefrom, without the
authorization of the Diet.

CHAPTER II. RENUNCIATION OF WAR

Article 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace
based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce
war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of
force as a mean of settling international disputes.

(2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding
paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war
potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of
the state will not be recognized.

CHAPTER III. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE

Article 10. The conditions necessary for being a Japanese
national shall be determined by law.

Article 11. The people shall not be prevented from enjoying
any of the fundamental human rights. These fundamental human
rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be
conferred upon the people of this and future generations as
eternal and inviolate rights.

Article 12. The freedoms and rights guaranteed to the people
by this Constitution shall be maintained by the constant endeavor
of the people, who shall refrain from any abuse of these freedoms
and rights and shall always be responsible for utilizing them for
the public welfare.

Article 13. All of the people shall be respected as
individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with
the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation
and in other governmental affairs.

Article 14. All of the people are equal under the law and
there shall be no discrimination in political, economic or social
relations because of race, creed, sex, social status or family
origin.

(2) Peers and peerage shall not be recognized.

(3) No privilege shall accompany any award of honor,
decoration or any distinction, nor shall any such award be valid
beyond the lifetime of the individual who now holds or hereafter
may receive it.

Article 15. The people have the inalienable right to choose
their public officials and to dismiss them.

(2) All public officials are servants of the whole community
and not of any group thereof.

(3) Universal adult suffrage is guaranteed with regard to
the election of public officials.

(4) In all elec