While the ritsuryo system in China concentrated all power in the emperor, who was supported by three ministries of Secretariat, Chancellery and State Affairs, Japanese ritsuryo system was characterized by the establishment of a loose consultative body, namely Daijokan (Grand Council of State), which worked as the emperor's proxy between the emperor and ministries.
中国の律令制が皇帝にすべての権限を集めて三省（中書省・門下省・尚書省）がこれを補佐する体制であるのに対し、日本の律令制では、天皇と各省の間に天皇の代理機能を果たす緩やかな合議体、太政官を置いたことに特徴がある。