The Naikaku-shokken stipulated that the Prime Minister "shall report state affairs to the Emperor, receive the Emperor's instructions, and direct the course of policies as the first among ministers" (Article 2) and "maintain unity among the different branches of the administration" (Article 4); the Prime Minister, therefore, possessed extensive authority, at least formally.
内閣総理大臣は「内閣ノ首班トシ機務ヲ奏宣シ旨ヲ承テ大政ノ方向ヲ指示」（2条）し、また「行政全部ヲ統督」（4条）すると定められ、少なくとも形式上は強力な権限を与えられていた。