Achievement of the Goals Set Down in the Charter Oath of 1868 by 1895

Achievement of the Goals Set Down in the Charter Oath of 1868 by 1895

Soon after the Restoration, the Meiji leaders drafted an Oath for the

Emperor to take. The Charter Oath gave a general guideline for the new

government and its future policy. It was proclaimed on 6 April 1868.

The Emperor declared that his country was to establish assemblies and

all policies to be based upon wide consultation, to allow people to

choose their occupation without class restriction, to abolish the

uncivilized customs, to learn useful and practical knowledge and the

national interest would override all other interests. After examining

the result of certain reform items, the goals set down in the Charter

Oath were to a large extent achieved by 1895.

The Charter Oath promised an elected assembly to discuss and to decide

state affairs. It was achieved by the creation of a constitutional

government in 1889. The Meiji granted the Japanese people certain

rights never before known in the days of the Shogun: freedom of

speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom from arbitrary arrest. The

Constitution provided for a bicameral assembly consisting of two

chambers - the Upper House of Peers and the Lower House was

conducted. A representative government came into being in Japan, for

the government was headed by the Cabinet and the Lower House was given

the power to approve laws and government budget. The Japanese were

represented in government eventually, though to what extent could they

affect the government policies was not known. Nonetheless, the

Constitution did open the way to some popular participation in the

government. To establish a central government, th...

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...ked to respect and loyal to their ancestors,

parents, Emperor and the country. Thus, the Japanese education helped

to produced very patriotic and submissive citizens. Patriotism and

loyalty were further strengthened by the Shinto religion. This

emphasis on loyalty to the state and Emperor fostered an extreme form

of nationalism, which led to the adoption of an imperialist policy.

On the whole, the terms of Charter Oath of 1868 were achieved by 1895

to a large extent. Japan eventually had a representative government,

though not a democratic one. The evil customs were abolished by the

judicial reforms. Feudalism was abolished as a precondition of the

establishment of a centralized government. The national interest was

fulfilled by the educational reform which eventually led to the growth

of nationalism in the long run.