参議院, or the House of Councillors, is one of the two chambers of the National Diet of Japan, the country's legislative body. It was established in 1947 and plays a crucial role in the law-making process. Members of the 参議院 serve six-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every three years. The 参議院 has 248 members, who are elected through a combination of single-member districts and proportional representation. This chamber reviews legislation passed by the other chamber, the 衆議院 (House of Representatives), and can propose amendments or reject bills, although the 衆議院 has the final say in most cases.