A comparative legal approach to incorporating constitutional pluralism of law and conventions into Japanese constitution

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26780011
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Public law
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: UCHINO Kodai 三重大学, 人文学部, 准教授 (90612292)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 習律 / 法の支配 / 政治的立憲主義 / イギリス憲法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to inquire whether Japanese constitution can accept a distinction between law and conventions of the constitution, namely, constitutional pluralism of law and conventions.
First, this study showed the issues including nihilism which opponents of the pluralism would have to confront, by analysing the nature of political constitutionalism articulated by J. A. G. Griffith. Second, this study showed the reason why law of the constitution should be severely separated from conventions of the constitution, by exploring J. Goldsworthy’s constitutional theory. The rationales behind the legal positivism which Goldsworthy are committed to seemed to suggest the reason.Thirdly, this study showed some problems which the pluralism would be compelled to resolve, by scrutinising constitutional monism, which gives priority to law of the constitution, and engaging in dialogue with it.

Free Research Field

憲法学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

私は、人が本当の意味で主権者となり、人を「人」として遇せざるをえなくなったとき、そこにおいて自ずと守るべき規範が生じてくると考えています。そしてイギリス憲法学の伝統的理論のいう習律が、そうした声なき者の声とでもいうべき規範の受け皿になるのではないかとも考えています。ところが従来の日本の憲法学は、こうした規範を憲法学の内に取り込むことについて大きな関心を寄せるものではありません。本研究は、イギリス憲法学の伝統的理論のいう習律をわが国のかたちに組み入れる際に、何を問わなければならないかを明らかにするものです。