Isabella Carter
The Meiji Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, was enacted in 1889 and played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Japan. The constitution was promulgated by Emperor Meiji and established a mixed form of constitutional and absolute monarchy, with the emperor as the sovereign head of state. One of the key aspects of this constitution was its recognition of the emperor's authority and its expression of the emperor's connection to Shinto in Article 3, which stated that The Emperor is sacred and inviolable. This constitution also introduced a bicameral parliament, known as the Diet, and outlined civil liberties for citizens, marking a significant departure from the previous imperial government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Promulgation | 11 February 1889 |
| Date of Enforcement | 29 November 1890 |
| Type of Government | Mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy |
| Basis | German and British models |
| Head of State | Emperor of Japan |
| Actual Head of Government | Prime Minister |
| Bicameral Parliament | The Diet |
| Upper House | House of Peers |
| Lower House | House of Representatives |
| Emperor's Authority | Sacred and inviolable |
| Emperor's Powers | Legislative, sanctioning laws, convoking the Diet, declaring war, making peace, establishing treaties, determining the organisation of the administration, supreme command of the Army and Navy, determining the organisation and peace standing of the Army and Navy, conferring titles of nobility, ordering amnesty, pardon, commutation of punishments and rehabilitation |
| Limitations on Emperor's Power | Required consent of the Diet to exercise legislative power, could not alter the Constitution, was bound by the provisions of the Constitution |
| Civil Liberties | Unprecedented civil liberties granted to common subjects |
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What You'll Learn
The Emperor is sacred and inviolable
The Meiji Constitution, enacted in 1889, was a significant departure for the Empire of Japan. It outlined the responsibilities of the new Meiji government, modelled after European parliaments, while also limiting imperial power and granting civil liberties to common subjects. The constitution was presented as a gift from the emperor to the people, and it secured a lofty position for him.
The emperor's sacredness and inviolability did not imply unlimited authority or power. While the emperor was the sovereign head of the empire, combining in himself the rights of sovereignty, he was also limited by the constitution. The Meiji Constitution introduced a bicameral parliament, the Diet, which had substantial power, including the ability to approve all laws. The emperor's role was further restricted by the constitution in that he governed with the advice of his ministers, and the Prime Minister was the actual head of government.
The Meiji Constitution did grant the emperor significant powers, including the sole authority to declare war, make peace, and establish treaties. He was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with supreme command of the Army and Navy, and could dissolve the lower house of the Diet. However, these powers were balanced by limitations and the emergence of democratic institutions.
The Meiji Constitution's recognition of the emperor's sacredness and inviolability, alongside its establishment of a constitutional monarchy, reflected Japan's evolving identity as a modern state. The constitution aimed to balance the traditional notion of the emperor's divinity with the introduction of democratic principles and civil liberties, marking a significant transformation in Japan's governance and political framework.
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The Emperor is the head of the state
The Meiji Constitution, enacted in 1889, established the Emperor of Japan as the head of state. The constitution was promulgated by Emperor Meiji on 11 February 1889, and came into effect on 29 November 1890. It was the first written constitution of the Empire of Japan and represented a significant shift in the country's governance and political framework.
The Meiji Constitution recognised the emperor's authority and secured a lofty position for him. Article 4 of the constitution explicitly stated, "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". This article affirmed the emperor's role as the sovereign ruler, combining legislative, executive, and religious powers.
As the head of state, the emperor held extensive powers and responsibilities. He was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with the power to declare war, make peace, and establish treaties. The emperor determined the organisation and peacetime standing of the military and held the supreme command of the Army and Navy. Additionally, he appointed and dismissed civil and military officers, conferred titles of nobility, and ordered amnesty, pardon, and rehabilitation.
The emperor's role extended beyond secular matters. Article 3 of the Meiji Constitution stated, "The Emperor is sacred and inviolable". This article emphasised the emperor's divine status and inviolability, reflecting his connection with Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan. The emperor's sacredness was integral to the concept of kokutai, or the unique national essence of Japan, which was central to the nation's identity during the Meiji period.
While the Meiji Constitution established the emperor as the head of state, it also introduced limitations on imperial power. The constitution created a bicameral parliament, known as the Diet, which had substantial powers. The emperor was required to obtain the consent of the Diet for legislation and could not unilaterally alter the constitution. The Diet was responsible for approving all laws and had the authority to invalidate imperial ordinances issued during periods when the Diet was not in session.
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The Emperor has legislative power
The Meiji Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, was enacted in 1889 and remained in force until 1947. This constitution was a significant departure for the empire, as it outlined the responsibilities of the new Meiji government, modelled after European parliaments, and placed limitations on imperial power.
The Meiji Constitution recognised the emperor's authority and secured a lofty position for him. Article 4 of the constitution stated that the emperor was the head of the empire, combining in himself the rights of sovereignty, and exercising them according to the provisions of the constitution.
The emperor's legislative power is outlined in Article 8, which states that the emperor can issue Imperial Ordinances in place of laws when the Imperial Diet is not sitting, in cases of urgent necessity to maintain public safety or avert public calamities. However, these Imperial Ordinances must be laid before the Imperial Diet at its next session, and if they are not approved, they are to be declared invalid.
The emperor also exercises legislative power by giving sanction to laws and ordering their promulgation and execution. Additionally, the emperor convokes the Imperial Diet, opens, closes, prorogues it, and dissolves the House of Representatives.
While the Meiji Constitution granted the emperor legislative powers, it also restricted his authority in certain ways. The constitution introduced a bicameral parliament, the Diet, which had substantial power as it had to approve all laws. The Meiji Constitution, therefore, provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, based on German and British models.
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The Emperor sanctions laws
The Meiji Constitution, enacted on February 11, 1889, established the emperor as the head of the empire, combining in himself the rights of sovereignty. The constitution outlines the emperor's role in sanctioning laws and promulgating them for execution.
Article 8 of the Meiji Constitution grants the emperor the power to issue Imperial Ordinances in lieu of laws when the Imperial Diet is not in session and urgent action is required to maintain public safety or avert calamities. These Imperial Ordinances are subject to the approval of the Imperial Diet at its next session, and if disapproved, the government must declare them invalid.
The emperor's authority to sanction laws is further elaborated in Article 6, which states that the emperor gives sanction to laws and orders their promulgation and execution. This provision underscores the emperor's role in the legislative process, as he exercises legislative power with the consent of the Imperial Diet, as outlined in Article 5.
The Meiji Constitution, while recognising the emperor's sovereignty, also imposed limitations on his power. This marked a significant transformation in Japan's governance and political framework, reflecting the country's evolving identity as a modern state. The constitution introduced a bicameral parliament, the Diet, and outlined civil liberties for citizens, granting them unprecedented rights.
The constitution was promulgated by Emperor Meiji and came into effect on November 29, 1890, remaining in force until May 2, 1947. It provided for a mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, modelled after Germany and Britain. The emperor, as head of state, governed with the advice of his ministers, while the Prime Minister served as the actual head of government.
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The Emperor appoints and dismisses civil and military officers
The Meiji Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, was promulgated by Emperor Meiji on February 11, 1889, and came into effect on November 29, 1890. This constitution was a significant departure for the empire, as it outlined the responsibilities of the new Meiji government, modelled after European parliaments, while also limiting imperial power and granting civil liberties to common subjects.
The Meiji Constitution provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, based on German and British models. While the Emperor of Japan was the head of state, the Prime Minister was the actual head of government. The constitution recognised the emperor's authority, but also introduced a bicameral parliament, the Diet, which was given substantial power since it had to approve all laws.
Article 10 of the Meiji Constitution states that the Emperor determines the organisation of the different branches of the administration, as well as the salaries of all civil and military officers, and appoints and dismisses them. The Emperor also has the supreme command of the Army and Navy (Article 11), determines their organisation and standing (Article 12), and declares war, makes peace, and concludes treaties (Article 13).
The Emperor's connection with Shinto was expressed in Article 3 of the Meiji Constitution, which states that "The Emperor is sacred and inviolable". This article secured a lofty position for the emperor, and provided for the other institutions of a constitutional monarchy.
The Meiji Constitution was replaced by a new constitution, known as the "Postwar Constitution", on November 3, 1946, and the latter document has been in force since May 3, 1947.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, enacted after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, was also known as the Meiji Constitution.
The Meiji Constitution provided for a form of mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy, based on the German and British models.
The Meiji Constitution outlined that the Emperor was the head of the Empire and had the rights of sovereignty. The Emperor was also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and had the sole authority to declare war, make peace, and establish treaties.
The Meiji Constitution established a Diet, or parliament, with two houses: an upper House of Peers and a lower House of Representatives. The Diet had substantial power as it had to approve all laws.
The Meiji Constitution's Article 3 stated that the "Emperor is sacred and inviolable", thus expressing the Emperor's connection with Shinto.
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