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The Japanese monarchy survived despite a series of reforms. What was the degree of democratization? |
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See answer below. |
Prior to the arrival of the US warships (or Black Ships as the Japanese called them), Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate and kept isolated from the world by the strictly enforced sakoku (closed country) foreign policy. When the Bakufu shogunate showed itself powerless to carry out its mandate of jōi (expel the barbarians) and was forced to sign an unequal treaty when threatened by American warships, its authority was greatly undermined. Rallying under the slogan of “sonno joi” (revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians) new-era samurai and anti-Bakufu forces worked together to overthrow the conservative forces headed by the Bakufu government forcing it to relinquish power to the Emperor. United under the Emperor, the country proceeded to carry out reforms. By the time of the Meiji Restoration, the old guard had been weeded out. The Emperor and the imperial court were in a position to lead Japan through reform. By contrast, China had long been ruled by a conservative and corrupt government that impeded reform at every turn, and was hopelessly outclassed by Japan when it came to implementing reforms.
The Emperor represents the Japanese monarchy and is the head of state. Emperor Jimmu – enthroned in 660 BC – was Japan’s first emperor, inaugurating a single monarchical system, unlike the dynasties of China. Although political power lay in the hands of the Shogun, the Emperor remained highly respected as a national symbol and served to unite the country decisively in critical times.
When Emperor Meiji realized that Japan’s navy was inadequate, he ordered the expenses of the imperial household to be reduced by 300,000 yen annually and arranged a 10% salary increase among civil and military officials to be used to expand the country’s naval capability. To boost morale, he insisted on saving money for warships by consuming a single meal a day, and he was enthusiastically received across the nation. As a result, Japan’s navy grew rapidly.
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The Japanese monarchy survived despite a series of reforms. What was the degree of democratization? |
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As island countries in Asia and Europe, Japan and Britain were the first to initiate political reform and industrialization in the context of a constitutional monarchy. Both countries achieved significant economic and technological development as well as a high level of democracy and freedom. Their neighbors, China and France, were deeply rooted in rule by absolute monarchs until they were abolished and replaced by republics through revolution. Japan and Britain were similar in that political power rested with a parliament from whose members a prime minister emerged. Monarchy was preserved in these countries because of historical reasons and this factor alone should not be used to assess the degree of democratization. |
