The Constitution of the Japanese Political Science Association

I: General Rules

Article 1

 This association shall be known as the Japanese Political Science Association.

Article 2

 (Deleted.)

II: Purpose and Projects

Article 3

 The goals of this Association shall be to promote academic research and cooperation among researchers in the field of political science(s), and to facilitate communication with academic associations in other countries.

Article 4

 To attain the goals stated in Article 3, the Association shall carry out the following projects:

  1. Hold academic conferences and lecture meetings.
  2. Publish an academic journal and various books.
  3. Maintain collaborative relationships, and exchange research outcomes with academic associations in other countries.
  4. Conduct other projects, as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

III: Membership

Article 5

 Those eliglible to apply for a membership are those committed to the study of politics, whose application has received the support of two or more Association members, confirmed by the Board of Directors.

Article 6

 New members must submit the prescribed application form to the Board of Directors.

Article 7

 Members must pay the membership fees as determined by the Board of Directors.

Article 8

 A member, who has failed to pay the membership fee for two or more consecutive years shall be regarded as having withdrawn from the Association. Membership can be restored if the member pays the arrears in accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors.

IV: Organization

Article 9

 The Executives of the Association are as follows:

  1. Several Directors, including one who shall be President.
  2. Two Auditors
  3. Several Secretaries
  4. Several Advisors

Article 10

 Directors and Auditors shall be elected in conformity with the Rules for Election of Directors and Auditors.
 The President shall be elected by the Board of Directors in conformity with the Rules for Election of the President.
 Secretaries and Advisors shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

Article 11

 The tenure of office for the President, Directors and Secretaries shall be two years.
 The tenure of office for Auditors shall be three years.
 If there are unforeseen resignations from the above, the tenure of the successor shall be the remaining duration of the predecessor, irrespective of the above two clauses in this Article.
 The President, Directors, Auditors and Secretaries can be reappointed.

Article 12

 The President shall represent this Association and preside over the work of the Association.
 When the President is unable to execute his/her work, a Director appointed by the President shall represent the President and execute his/her functions.

Article 13

 Directors shall organise the Board of Directors and execute the work of the Association.

Article 14

 Auditors shall oversee and audit the finances of the Association.

Article 15

 Secretaries shall assist Directors in the execution of the work of the Association.
 When called upon by the president, advisors shall offer counsel on matters pertaining to the execution of the Association’s duties.

Article 16

 The President must call the General Assembly of the Members of the Association at least once annually.
 The President can call an additional Extraordinary General Assembly, as appropriate.
 When a General Assembly (or an Extraordinary General Assembly) is called, a written notification must be sent to all members of the Association at least one month in advance of the Assembly.
 The President must call an Extraordinary General Assembly when at least one-fifth of the members request to discuss a specific issue.

Article 17

 The General Assembly (or an Extraordinary General Assembly) shall be conducted with the members present at the Assembly.
 The Board of Directors shall report to the General Assembly on basic operational matters, including the appointment of the Executives, financial updates, committee activities, and the secretariat’s activities, and seek approval of the General Assembly.

Article 18

 The Association’s fiscal year is April 1 through to March 31.

V: Amendments and Dissolution

Article 19

 Any initiative by the Board of Directors to amend the Constitution requires a vote by the membership and the support of at least two-thirds of all valid votes cast.

Article 20

 The dissolution of the Association requires the consent of at least two-thirds of members.

(Last amended on October 8th, 2000)