The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, 1889
The “Constitution of the Empire of Japan,” enacted in 1889, was a significant milestone in Japan’s modern legal history. This constitution established a constitutional monarchy and provided a political framework that had lasting influence.
About This Ebook
The “Constitution of the Empire of Japan” was officially promulgated on February 11, 1889, under the leadership of Hirobumi Ito in its drafting process. Modeled after the Prussian Constitution and tailored to Japan’s circumstances, it established the Emperor as the head of state while introducing parliamentary institutions. Although the Constitution granted substantial power to the Emperor, it also, for the first time, clarified the basic rights of subjects, such as freedom of speech and property rights. This Constitution remained in effect in Japan until it was replaced by the “Constitution of Japan” in 1947.