Meiji Constitution

Meiji Constitution
Constitution of Japan from 1890 to 1947.

After the Meiji Restoration (1868), Japan's leaders sought to create a constitution that would define Japan as a capable, modern nation deserving of Western respect while preserving their own power. The resultant document 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. A privy council composed of the Meiji leaders (see genro), created prior to the constitution, advised the emperor and wielded actual power. Voting restrictions, which limited the electorate to about 5% of the adult male population, were loosened over the next 25 years, resulting in universal male suffrage. Political parties made the most of their limited power in the 1920s, but in the 1930s the military was able to exert control without violating the constitution. After World War II, a U.S.-approved constitution stating that "sovereign power resides with the people" replaced the Meiji Constitution. See also Itō Hirobumi.

* * *

▪ 1889, Japan
 constitution of Japan from 1889 to 1947. After the Meiji Restoration (1868), Japan's leaders sought to create a constitution that would define Japan as a capable, modern nation deserving of Western respect while preserving their own power. The resultant document, largely the handiwork of the genro (elder statesman) Itō Hirobumi, 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. A privy council composed of the Meiji genro, created prior to the constitution, advised the emperor and wielded actual power. Voting restrictions, which limited the electorate to about 5 percent of the adult male population, were loosened over the next 25 years, resulting in universal male suffrage. Political parties made the most of their limited power in the 1920s, but in the 1930s the military was able to exert control without violating the constitution. After World War II, a U.S.-approved constitution stating that “sovereign power resides with the people” replaced the Meiji Constitution.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Meiji Constitution — Japan This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Japan …   Wikipedia

  • Meiji Constitution —    The Constitution of the Empire of Japan (Dai nihon teikoku kempo) promulgated in 1889 was the result of seventeen years of secret drafts and debate over issues including religious freedom and the role of Shinto in relation to the state. The… …   A Popular Dictionary of Shinto

  • Meiji — (Japanese: 明 bright, brilliant 治 reign, government ) may refer to: Meiji Restoration, the revolution that ushered in the Meiji period Meiji period the period in Japanese history when the Meiji Emperor reigned Emperor Meiji of Japan Mutsuhito, the …   Wikipedia

  • Meiji Shrine — 明治神宮 Torii leading to the Meiji Shrine complex Information Type …   Wikipedia

  • Meiji period — History of Japan Meiji Constitution promulgation Paleolithic 35,000–14,000 BC Jōmon period 14,000–300 BC Yayoi period 300 BC–250 AD Kofun period 250–538 …   Wikipedia

  • Constitution of Japan — Japan This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Japan …   Wikipedia

  • Meiji Restoration — History of Japan The Meiji Emperor, moving from Kyoto to Tokyo, end of 1868. Paleolithic 35,000–14,000 BC Jōmon period 14,000–300 BC Yayoi period 300 BC–250 AD Kofun period …   Wikipedia

  • Meiji — /may jee /, n. Japanese Hist. the designation of the period of the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito from 1868 to 1912. [1870 75; < Japn meiji, earlier meidi enlightened peace < MChin, equiv. to Chin míng bright + zhì pacify] * * * (as used in… …   Universalium

  • Meiji Restoration — (1868–1912)    A palace coup of 1868, which overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate and “restored” power to the Japanese emperor, followed by the rapid socioeconomic and political changes that occurred during the reign of the Meiji emperor from 1868 to… …   Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914

  • constitution — /kon sti tooh sheuhn, tyooh /, n. 1. the way in which a thing is composed or made up; makeup; composition: the chemical constitution of the cleanser. 2. the physical character of the body as to strength, health, etc.: He has a strong constitution …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”