Article 4 of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan: The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining in Himself the rights of sovereignty, and exercises them, according to the provisions of the present Constitution (governing right).
大日本帝国憲法第4条：天皇ハ國ノ元首ニシテ統治權ヲ總攬シ此ノ憲法ノ條規ニ依リテ之ヲ行フ（統治大権）