The politics of Japan is conducted in a framework of a multi-party parliamentary representative democratic Constitutional monarchy where the Emperor acts effectively as the symbolic Head of state, and the Prime Minister acts as the Head of government and the head of Cabinet which directs the executive branch. Legislative power is vested in the Diet, which consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors. Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and lower courts, and Sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people by the Constitution. Japan is generally considered a constitutional monarchy in academic studies, with a system of civil law.