The Weight of History

1600-1997 Japan

1 min read

  • democracy in Japan is best known for its reforms implemented after 1939-1945 World War II and 1942-1945 Japanese Occupation
    • but! it actually predates this, as the Allies recognized in the Potsdam Declaration: “the revival and strengthening of democratic tendences amongst the Japanese people”

Japan’s political eras

Key Political Changes

YearPrime MinisterFeatures of the period
1931WakatsukiParty Cabinet; undermined by Kwangtung army invading and occupying Manchuria ([[3.02 League of Nations#Manchuria-Japan Crisis, 1931 (FAILURE)|1931 Manchurian Incident]])
1931-1932InukaiParty Cabinet; assassinated in 1932
1932-1934Admiral SaitoModerate Admirals; power struggle between Tosei-ha and Kodo-ha → supremacy of Tosei-ha → paved way for more military control over government
1932-1934Admiral Okado
1936-1937HirotaGrowing militarism; concessions to army
1937General Hayashi
1937-1939Prince KonoeUnable to control military; war with China starts (1937-1945 Second Sino-Japanese War)
1939Baron Hiranuma
1939-1940General AbbeJapanese expansion in China and South Asia; Tri-partite Pact; Diplomatic activity with the USA, fails to control militarists
1940Admiral Yonai
1940-1941Prince Konoe
1941General TojoAttack on Pearl Harbor

Full Timeline

1868-1912 Meiji Period

Context

  • political instability in neighboring China (1839-1842, 1856-1860 Opium Wars)
    • powerful European nations take advantage → force China to sign unfair treaties granting access to and control over Chinese ports
  • 1853 July: U.S. Navy sails into Tokyo Bay
    • they wanted a treaty to permit trade and for Japan to open ports for American ships
      • Commodore Perry was willing to use gunboat diplomacy, if necessary
    • Japan was forced into entering trade with the U.S.

Source: Commodore Perry

“For years several countries have applied for trade, but you have opposed them on account of a national law. You have thus acted against divine principles and your sin cannot be greater than it is. What we say thus does not necessarily mean, as has already been communicated by the Dutch boat, that we expect mutual trade by all means. If you are still to disagree we would then take up arms and inquire into the sin against the divine principles, and you would also make sure of your law and fight in defence. When one considers such as occasion, however, one will realize the victory will naturally be ours and you shall by no means overcome us. If in such a situation you seek for a reconciliation, you should put up the white flag that we have recently presented to you, and we would accordingly stop firing and conclude peace with you, turning our battleships aside.”
–Commodore Matthew C. Perry, 14 July 1853, Sent in Connection with the Delivery of a White Flag

  • 1854: Japan signs a trade treaty with the U.S. ^1854-us-treaty
    • Britain, Holland, Russia soon gained similar trading rights
  • 1889 February 11: Meiji Constitution comes into effect ^constitution
    • aimed to be accepted by “advanced nations” (i.e. Western nations)
    • established mechanisms for sharing power, but drew boundaries around the legislative initiative
    • emperor reserved sovereignty
      • Japanese people were given limited political voice → elected the lower house of the Diet
        • Diet: House of Representatives
      • BUT: “Expected bureaucrats and generals to continue to rule without significant accountability to the general populace.” (Gordon)
  • 1968: Meiji Restoration, start of Modern Japan
    • Shogun lost power; 👤 Emperor Meiji restored to power over government
      • Emperor Mutsuhito took on the name Meiji, meaning "enlightened rule"
    • emperor still didn’t rule directly; he had to accept advice from the group that overthrew the shogun
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Political Changes

  • 1889: Japan accepts the Meiji Constitution
  • Japan becomes a constitutional monarchy
  • Insert hierarchal diagram here
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Colonialism & Expansion

  • 1894: First Sino-Japanese War over Korea (👤 Ito Hirobumi)
    • Japan won and took Korea and Taiwan as colonies
  • 1895: Treaty of Shimonoseki; Triple Intervention
    • France, Russia, Germany pressure Japan to give up rights on the Liaotung Peninsula
    • lesson learnt: Japan needed a strong military to protect sovereignty and receive equal treatment in international affairs
  • 1900: Creation of Rikken Seiyukai
  • 1901: Creation and ban of of Social Democratic Party
  • 1904-1905: Russo-Japanese war over Korea
    • Japan achieved dominance over Korea
    • Japan established itself as a colonial power in East Asia
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🇯🇵 1912-1926 Taisho Democracy

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