noun
fundamental law; basic law; organic law
A law that serves as the foundation for a legal system or a specific area of law, such as a constitution or a framework statute.
日本国憲法は国の基本法です。
The Constitution of Japan is the fundamental law of the nation.
教育基本法は教育の理念を定めている。
The Basic Act on Education sets out the principles of education.
法律 is a general term for 'law' or 'statute', whereas 基本法 refers to a law of foundational importance.
Compound of 基本 (kihon, 'foundation, basis') and 法 (hō, 'law'). The term is a direct translation of the Western legal concept of 'fundamental law' or 'basic law'.