Omar Bennett
Japan's government in the 1900s was a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, based on the Prussian and British models. The Emperor was the supreme leader, with the Prime Minister and his cabinet as his followers. The Meiji period, which lasted until 1912, was a time of significant change in Japan, including the adoption of a new constitution that established a constitutional monarchy. The Meiji government selectively adopted aspects of Western political systems to strengthen Japan's international position, including the creation of a government based on a written constitution and headed by a monarch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Type of Monarchy | Mixed constitutional-absolute monarchy (a semi-constitutional monarchy) |
| Head of State | Emperor |
| Powers of the Emperor | Ceremonial, not political |
| Sovereignty | Held by the Japanese people |
| Constitution | Meiji Constitution |
| Year of Constitution | 1889 |
| Model for Constitution | Prussian |
| Type of Parliament | Bicameral |
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What You'll Learn
Meiji Constitution of 1889
Japan was a constitutional monarchy in the 1900s. During the Meiji period, Japanese leaders looked to European models of constitutional monarchy, adopting a system of imperial government modelled closely on the Prussian model. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 was adopted to strengthen Japan to the level of Western nations, resulting in the first parliamentary system in Asia.
The Meiji Constitution was largely the work of the elder statesman, Itō Hirobumi. It called for a bicameral parliament (the Diet) with an elected lower house and a prime minister and cabinet appointed by the emperor. The emperor was granted supreme control of the army and navy, and the power to declare war, make peace, and conclude treaties. The constitution also established a new aristocracy known as the kazoku, merging the ancient court nobility of the Heian period with the former daimyō, feudal lords subordinate to the shōgun.
The Meiji Constitution provided for an independent judiciary and created the Imperial Diet, consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers. The Diet was defined as the supreme organ of sovereignty in the Constitution, with the power to legislate and approve the budget. The emperor's role was largely ceremonial, and he served as the symbol of the state, appointing other high officials in the name of the state. The constitution did not have to be ratified by the people or their representatives but was presented as a gift to the people from the emperor.
The Meiji Constitution remained in force until 1947 when, following World War II, it was replaced by a new constitution stating that "sovereign power resides with the people". This new constitution replaced the previous imperial rule with a form of Western-style liberal democracy.
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The Emperor's role
During the Meiji period, Japanese leaders looked to European models of constitutional monarchy, adopting a system of imperial government modelled on the Prussian system. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 established Japan as a constitutional monarchy, with the Emperor as the head of state.
The Meiji government selectively adopted aspects of Western systems to strengthen Japan's international position. The intention was to create a government headed by a monarch, specifically Japan's hereditary emperor. The Meiji Emperor bestowed this constitution upon the people of Japan as a gift, without requiring ratification. The Meiji Constitution provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, with the Emperor as the supreme leader in theory, but with the Prime Minister as the actual head of government.
In the Meiji period, the Emperor served as the face of the modern government and represented the state of Japan, to whom the Japanese people owed their loyalty. The Emperor was the symbol of the state and performed ceremonial duties, with no political functions. The Emperor appoints other high officials in the name of the state, and the Prime Minister is nominated by the National Diet and appointed by the Emperor.
While the Emperor does not hold political functions, they can play an important diplomatic role. For example, Emperor Akihito made many trips outside the country, and Emperor Naruhito, who succeeded his father in 2019, is the first Emperor to be educated outside Japan.
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Japan's parliamentary system
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 established the first parliamentary system in Asia, with a bicameral parliament, known as the Diet, consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers. The current constitution, adopted after World War II, maintains this bicameral structure with a lower house and an upper house, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, respectively. The Diet is the supreme organ of sovereignty, with legislative power vested in it. The House of Representatives is the more powerful of the two chambers and can force the resignation of the government. Members of both houses are directly elected by the people, who are the source of sovereignty.
The Prime Minister of Japan, currently Shigeru Ishiba, is the head of the government and is usually the leader of the majority party. The Prime Minister forms a cabinet of ministers, including the Chief Cabinet Secretary, who assist in directing and controlling the government and civil service. The Cabinet holds executive power and has the authority to propose most of the legislation considered by the Diet. The Cabinet also relies on the bureaucracy to draft bills. The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Diet and appointed by the Emperor, who serves as the ceremonial head of state. The Emperor, currently Naruhito, is the symbol of the state and performs diplomatic functions but holds no political power.
The Judicial branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches and is headed by the Supreme Court, which has the ultimate judicial authority to interpret the constitution and conduct judicial review. The Justices of the Supreme Court are reviewed by the people in the first general election of the Lower House following their appointment.
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The influence of Western ideas
The Meiji Restoration, which took place in 1868, marked a significant turning point in Japan's history as it embraced Western ideas, technologies, and institutions. This period of modernisation and Westernisation was influenced by the arrival of Western powers, primarily through the forced opening of Japan by Commodore Matthew Perry. The country was exposed to new ideas and knowledge, which led to the adoption of Western ideologies and systems.
During the Meiji period, Japanese leaders looked to European models of constitutional monarchy, adopting a system of imperial government modelled closely on the Prussian example. The Meiji government selectively adopted aspects of Western industrial, economic, and political systems to strengthen Japan's international position. They established a modern educational system, modelled after the West, leading to a rise in literacy rates and the spread of new ideas. The Meiji Emperor bestowed a constitution upon the people of Japan in 1889, creating a bicameral parliament. However, the right to vote was only extended to a small, elite minority.
As Japan transitioned from the Meiji to the Taishō periods, its government and politics were increasingly influenced by Western liberal ideas. Political parties began to form, calling for a more responsive government and greater representation. This period saw the emergence of various new political parties, both liberal and conservative, influenced by global movements in socialism, Marxism, and anarchism. The extension of suffrage became a central demand of these parties.
The Meiji Constitution of 1889 established a constitutional monarchy headed by a hereditary emperor. However, tensions arose between the growing interest in liberal political thinking and the established political context. Yoshino Sakuzō's "On the Meaning of Constitutional Government" (1916) highlighted the need to align Western ideas of representative government with Japan's specific situation. Yoshino introduced the concept of "minpon shugi", which emphasised the government's duty to work with the people's interests in mind, even if the people lacked direct influence on the government.
In conclusion, the influence of Western ideas on Japan during the Meiji Restoration and the subsequent periods had a profound impact on the country's political, social, and economic transformation. Japan adopted a constitutional monarchy, a centralised government, and a modern legal system, positioning itself as a major global player in the 20th century.
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Tensions between individual rights and state powers
Japan in the 1900s was a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 established a constitutional monarchy, headed by a hereditary emperor. This was a period of enormous change in all aspects of Japanese life, from government and international relations to the economy, social structure, and culture.
The Meiji government selectively adopted aspects of Western industrial, economic, and political systems to strengthen Japan's international position. They modelled their government on the German (Prussian) system of the time, creating a bicameral parliament but extending the right to vote to only a small, elite minority. This resulted in tensions between the growing interest in liberal political thinking and the established political context of a constitutional monarchy.
The Meiji Constitution of 1889 was replaced by a new constitution in 1947, following World War II. The current constitution was written primarily by American civilian officials during the occupation of Japan and is based on principles of popular sovereignty, pacifism, and the renunciation of war, and the protection of individual rights. It established that sovereignty rests with the people, not the Emperor, as under the Meiji Constitution. The Emperor's role is now entirely ceremonial, and he does not hold political functions or powers related to the government.
The Meiji period saw the rise of new political leaders from the ranks of political parties, some with ties to small constituencies. This shift in power may have allowed for greater political discussions, including the ongoing need to align Western ideas of representative government with Japan's specific situation. Yoshino Sakuzō’s “On the Meaning of Constitutional Government…” (1916) is a significant document from this period that attempted to resolve the tension between the sovereignty of the people and the sovereignty of the emperor.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Japan was a constitutional monarchy in the 1900s. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 established a framework for constitutional monarchy in Japan, marking a transition from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
The Meiji Constitution was the fundamental law of the Empire of Japan, propagated during the reign of Emperor Meiji (1867-1912). It provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, based on the Prussian model of the time.
While the Meiji Constitution established a framework for constitutional monarchy, it had significant limitations that affected its democratic nature. The emperor retained substantial powers, including control over military appointments and the dissolution of the Diet. Voting rights were restricted primarily to male property owners, limiting political participation and representation.
Japan is currently a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Emperor is the ceremonial head of state and the symbol of the nation, but holds no political functions. The government is directed and controlled by the Cabinet, which has executive power.
