Establishment of the Japanese Constitutional System

The 1889 Meiji constitution: how it actually worked, the establishment of the Diet and the shifting roles and interests of the parties. A Japanese classic translated by one our leading authorities. Introduction: Issues and methods Part I The political situation before the Sino-Japanese War 1 Some problems of transcendentalism 2 ‘Enrich the Nation and Strengthen the Armed Forces’ and ‘Lighten the People’s Burdens’ as issues in the early Diet sessions Part II Political conflict after the Sino-Japanese War 3 Post-war reconstruction and the reactions of various political forces 4 The formation of the Yamagata faction 5 The question of increasing the land tax 6 The collapse of the party Cabinet 7 Concluding the land tax increase bill