Historical Stages of Democratization in Japan Introduction In the essay we will examine the history of democratization in Japan. The essay comprises of four parts: Introduction, The historical stages of democratization in Japan, Factors that contributed to the democratization process and Conclusion. In the second part we will distinguish the main stages of the process of establishing democracy in Japan. In the third part we will dwell on factors that contributed to this process. In the forth part we will summarize all the studied information and make a conclusion concerning the issue raised in the essay. The historical stages of democratization in Japan In the history of Japan there can be distinguished three main stages of the democratization of the country: Meiji Period (1867 – 1912), Taisho Period (1912 – 1926) and Showa Period (1926 – 1989).
The Meiji Period is significant for the 1889 Constitution and for the fact that during Meiji reign there was established the first parliamentary government in Asia. Taisho Period is also known as the Taisho Democracy; due to changes in this period the postwar democratization of Japan became possible. Showa Period is known for the new Constitution of 1947, declaring that sovereignty rests with the people and asserting fundamental human rights (Japanese Historical Periods, Outdoor Japan, n.p.).
The Term Paper on Latency Period Sexual Stage Child
Freud's Developmental Stages Freud advanced a theory of personality development that centered on the effects of the sexual pleasure drive on the individual psyche. At particular points in the developmental process, he claimed, a single body part is particularly sensitive to sexual, erotic stimulation. These erogenous zones are the mouth, the anus, and the genitals. The child's libido centers on ...
Lets examine each stage separately. Meiji Period During 45-year reign of Meiji Emperor Japan witnessed modernization and reached the world power status. It was the period of political and social reforms and the establishing of the first Constitution in the history of Japan. At this period Japan developed relations with European countries and the USA.
Meiji wanted Japans policy and economics to be more like those of these countries, so it was believed that the model of the Constitution had to resemble the constitution of Western countries. Several constitutions were regarded, among them there were British, French and Spanish Constitutions and the Constitution of the United States, but finally Prussian constitutional system was taken as a main example. Finally, in 1889 Constitution of the Empire of Japan (the Meiji Constitution) was adopted as a sign of Emperors sharing authority and giving rights and liberties to his subjects(The Meiji Period, Wikipedia, n.p.).
The Constitution was adopted on February 11, 1989, but it came into force on November 29, 1890. As soon as the new Constitution came into effect, the first Imperial Diet was established. It was based on the Prussian Diet and British Parliament models and consisted of the House of Representatives (composed of male citizens) and the House of Peers (composed of imperial appointees and nobility).
A cabinet responsible to the emperor and independent of the legislature (The Meiji Period, Wikipedia, n.p.) was also established.
The second chapter of the Constitution about the rights of citizens resembled articles of both European and the US constitutions. The Diet had a right to approve government legislation and initiate laws, make representations to the government, and submit petitions to the emperor (The Meiji Period, Wikipedia, n.p.).
But in spite of these changes, sovereignty still belonged to the emperor. Taisho Period Although this period is named after the title of the emperor, he didnt play a significant role in the government. Emperors health was weak and this factor led to the shift of the power from the old group of oligarchs to the parliament and democratic parties. That is the reason the period is called Taisho Democracy.
This period was marked by further progress towards democracy, although democratic system was not rooted deeply enough to withstand the economic and political pressures(Taisho Period, Wikipedia, n.p.).
The Term Paper on The Role Of The Emperor In Meiji Japan
... will of the Emperor. Even after the Constitution of 1889, the Meiji Emperor enjoyed little real power. The Meiji Emperor did not ... power to Emperor Komeo, the Emperor died and was replaced by his son who became the Meiji Emperor, which officially started the Meiji period (1868-1911). The Meiji Emperor ... signaled the rise of nationalistic elements in Japan. The Imperial Rescript on Education was the ...
In 1913 the conservative forces managed to form a party Constitutional Association of Friends, which in 1914 won the majority of votes in the House. The period witnessed the dominancy of this party. In this time labor, students and professors movement claiming for universal suffrage and the changimg of the old political party network was developing. New parties, including communist and socialist ones appeared. Showa Period This was the period of reign of Emperor Hirohito the longest period of reign in the history of Japan. The name of the period comes from the title Showa of the Emperor, which means “enlightened peace”.
The first period of Hirohitos reign was marked by increasing military power. But after the World War II, things changed dramatically. During the period 1945-1952 Japan was occupied by Allied forces dominated by the United States. There was a pressure to try Hirohito for war crimes, but Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers American General Douglas Mac Arthur insisted that the Emperor should remain as the symbol of the country. Thus Hirohito avoided trial and remained the Emperor but with certain restrictions. In 1946 his title was transformed from ‘imperial sovereign’ to ‘constitutional monarch.
On November 3, 1946 the new Constitution was promulgated. The document came into power on May 3, 1947 and is a present-day constitution. The adoption of the Constitution was a sagnificant step in a developing of democracy in Japan. The Constitution was written under the supervision of Douglas Mac Arthur mainly by two American senior Army officers with law degrees Courtney Whitney and Milo Rowell. And although it was written not by Japanese, it was based on Meiji Constitution and took into consideration demands of attorneys from Japan. The Constitution included the following important statements: sovereignty was to rest with the people, not the emperor; the Diet was to be the highest organ of the state; stronger self-government was to be established at the local levels; Japanese citizens were to enjoy basic human rights; freedom of the press and freedom of speech were to be guaranteed; men and women were to have equal rights; Japan was to renounce its right to wage war as a means of settling international disputes and give up the right to maintain a nation military force (Menton Linda K., Teaching Democracy in Occupied Japan: The 1947 Constitution, p.4).
The Essay on Japan-the Strange Country
More than 220,000 (two hundred and twenty thousand) people lost their lives and as a result, Japan abandoned its war time constitution. In these ways Japan is a country with its own original culture and history, but nowadays there are also many strange things about modern day Japan. Let's take a look at these strange things in eight different categories. 1. Character. Japanese people tend to be ...
Factors that contributed to the democratization process Initially, there were two main factors that influenced the democratization process in Japan: economic and political (foreign policy to be exact).
Meiji Period witnessed the growing economics and developing of foreign relations. Japan began to play a significant role in the foreign market. Meiji wanted to make his country more European-like. For this purpose he heavily subsidized dispatch of Japanese students to European countries and America. These countries taught Japan democracy with its protection of human rights and freedoms. That was the reason why the first Constitution of Japan was based on the constitutions of these democratic countries. During Taisho Period a great role in developing of democracy played the fact that the emperor was too weak to be a strong figure in the government.
That is why the power was shifted to the parliament. The spreading of socialist and communist ideas also contributed in the democratization process. At last, Showa Period secured democracy in Japan. Here, Japans defeat in the World War II played a great role. It ruined the military regime that was almost established in the country. The occupation of Japan by Allied forces was the factor that led to the adopting of democratic Constitution and shifted the sovereignty from the Emperor to the people. 4. Conclusion The history of democratization in Japan is of great interest and importance. Tracing the process of developing democratization in this country helps to realize how many different facts influenced the establishment of the democracy in the country.
It also shows how the will of one person may influence of the country, as well of unpredictable events and consequences. In Japan, the process of democratization began with the will of one political leader Meiji and was completed by unpredictable defeat of Japan in the World War II. Bibliography Japanese Historical Periods. Outdoor Japan, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2005 http://www.outdoorjapan.com/general-info/general-i nfo-10.html Hirohito. Wikipedia. 16 Apr 2005. Retrieved April 19,2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito Menton Linda K., Teaching Democracy in Occupied Japan: The 1947 Constitution.
The Essay on Japan & successful countries
Japan being one of the most successful countries in the world suffered from several problems too. In order for them to achieve greatness and near perfection, they had to be broken also which made it more possible for them to stand up again and adapt to changes. For a very long time, they closed their doors to foreign countries and made life on their own without the help of anything or anyone ...
April 21-23, 2004. Retrieved April 19, 2005 http://iediis4.ied.edu.hk/pcc2004/L-M/TeachingDemo cracyinOccupiedJapan.pdf Taisho Period, Wikipedia. April 17, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taisho_Period The Meiji Period. Wikipedia. April 17, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_period.
