Translation guide
The national legislature of Japan is called the National Diet (国会). It consists of two houses: the House of Representatives (衆議院) and the House of Councillors (参議院). This entry covers how to refer to the Japanese legislative assembly in various contexts.
Referring to the national legislative body of Japan as a whole.
The standard term for the National Diet of Japan. Used in formal and informal contexts.
国会は国権の最高機関である。
The Diet is the highest organ of state power.
国会で新しい法律が可決された。
A new law was passed in the Diet.
Explicitly 'Japan's Diet' when context requires clarification.
日本の国会は二院制をとっている。
Japan's Diet has a bicameral system.
Referring specifically to the lower house of the Japanese Diet.
The House of Representatives, the more powerful lower house.
衆議院議員選挙が行われた。
The House of Representatives election was held.
Referring specifically to the upper house of the Japanese Diet.
The House of Councillors, the upper house.
参議院で法案が審議されている。
The bill is being deliberated in the House of Councillors.
Referring to a session of the Diet or the Diet building itself.
The National Diet Building.
国会議事堂を見学した。
I toured the National Diet Building.
During a Diet session.
国会開会中は議員が忙しい。
Diet members are busy during the session.
When speaking English, it is common to refer to Japan's legislature as 'the Diet' or 'the Japanese Diet'. In Japanese, always use 国会.