Natsume Soseki
Taishô Liberalism:
Paradoxes in Japan's
First "Democratic" Era

Emperor Yoshihito
 Hara Kei 
I. Taishô (1912-26) Political Crisis (Taishô seihen)
A. Yoshihito, the Taishô Emperor (1879-1926)
1. reign of emperor increasingly symbolic
2. Prince Hirohito named regent in 1921
B. late-1912 PM Saionji Kinmochi (1849-1940)
1. Imperial Army minister resigned
2. Army refused to supply a new candidate
3. Saionji's downfall---forced to resign
C. Katsura Tarô (1848-1913) succeeded Saionji
1. ex-Chôshû samurai protege of Yamagata Aritomo
2. 1901-12 Saionji & Katsura alternated as PM
3. Previous achievements & policies
a. Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902)
b. Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)
c. Annexation of Korea (1910)
d. Oppressive stance towards leftist groups
i. High Treason Incident of 1910 (taigyaku jiken)
ii. Kôtoku Shôsui & 24 others executed for plot to assassinate Emperor Meiji
e. recognized as a genrô "elder statesman"
4. Navy demanded expanded budget for new battleships
5. Katsura: Imperial Edict demanding a Naval Minister
D. Movement for the Protection of Constitutional Government (kensei yôgo undô)
1. anti-hanbatsu--esp Chôshû's dominance
2. Feb. 10, 1913 massive demonstrations against Katsura
3. Katsura died shortly after his cabinet fell
E. PM: Yamamoto Gonnohyôe (1852-1933) ex-Satsuma
II. "Taishô demokurashi"
A. Relative decline of genrô "elder statesmen"
1. Itô Hirobumi (1909)
2. Yamagata Aritomo (1922)
B. Theories of Democracy, Imperial System
1. Yoshino Sakuzô (1878-1933)Tôdai Prof of Politics
a. minshu shugi "democracy" irrelevant to Japan since sovereignty resides in the people
b. minpon shugi Japan's version of democracy--makes people the basic concern
c. urged limitation of non-constitutional entities like Privy Council, Army, etc.
2. Minobe Tatsukichi (1873-1948) Tôdai Law
a. tennô kikan setsu "Organ Theory"
i. sovereignty belongs to the state
ii. emperor is highest organ of state
b. 1935 Minobe attacked for lese majesty, his writings banned; 1936 attempted assassination
3. Hozumi Yatsuka (1860-1912)--traditional view
C. First Party Cabinet--Hara Kei (1856-1921)
1. Itô founded Seiyûkai (Friends of Constitutional Govt Party) in 1900
2. Hara rose as a "party functionary;" not from Satcho
3. 1914 leader of Seiyûkai
4. inflation--1918 Rice Riots: Hara-Seiyûkai cabinet
5. Korean Independence Movement, leftists suppressed
6. Nov. 1921 murdered by an ultranationalist over alleged corruption in his cabinet (Washington Conference 1922)
D. Universal Manhood Suffrage
1. Universal Suffrage League (1897-1911) claimed extension of vote would enhance international standing
2. Kenseikai "Constitutional Govt. Party"
a. founded by supporters of Katsura Tarô in 1913 after the Taishô Political Crisis
b. 1925 Kenseikai Universal Suffrage bill passed
i. all males over 25--no tax qualification
ii. electorate increased from 3 to 25 million
c. Peace Preservation Law of 1925
E. Left-Wing Movements--Socialism, Communism, Labor Unions
F. International Cooperation
1. WWI and the Allied Effort
a. Aug. 23, 1914 Japan declared war on Germany
b. occup. Shandong, Marshalls, Marianas, Carolines
c. economic boon--armaments supplied to Europe
2. Twenty-One Demands presented to China in Jan. 1915
a. transfer of German rights to Japan
b. extension of leases in South Manchuria, Mongolia
c. Japanese political, military, economic advisors
3. Treaty of Versailles (1919) racial equality clause
a. Shandong and other German possessions given
b. catalyzed May 4th Movement in Beijing
4. Washington Naval Limitation Treaty (Feb. 1922)
a. 5:5:3 ratio in naval tonnage for US/Brt/Jpn
b. Chinese sovereignty restored to Shandong peninsula in exchange for economic privileges
5. London Naval Conference (1930)