Government
After the Meiji restoration, the leaders of the samurai had no clear plan on how to run Japan after they overthrew the Tokugawa Shogun. Although from lower-ranked samurai families, they had risen to military leadership roles in their respective domains, and came from a Confucian-based educational background which enforced loyalty and service to society. Additionally most of them either had first-hand experience in traveling overseas, or second-hand experience through contacts with foreign advisors in Japan. As a result, they knew of the military authority of the western nations and of the need for Japan to join and to strengthen itself to avoid the foreign fate of its neighbors on the Asian continent.
However, in 1867, the country was largely a collection of semi-independent feudal provinces held together by the military strength of the SatchōAlliance,and by the status of the Imperial Court.In early March 1868, while the outcome
of the Boshin Warwas still uncertain, the new Meiji government summoned representatives from all of the domains to Kyoto
to establish a conditional review national assembly. In April 1868, the Charter Oathwas broadcast, in which Emperor Meiji set out the wide general outlines for Japan's development and modernization.
Two months later, in June 1868, the Seitaishowas transmitted to establish the new administrative foundation for the Meiji government. This administrative code was drafted by Fukuoka Takachika and Soejima Taneomi (both of whom had studied abroad and who had a liberal political perspective). There was a strange mixture of western ideas such as division of powers, and a renewal of ancient structures of administration dating back to Nara period Japan. A central governmental structure, or Daijōkan,was then established.A separate Justice Ministry was recognized to create a form of separation of powers in imitation of the western countries.
In the meantime, local administration consisted of territory removed from the Tokugawa, which was divided into regions and cities administered from the Department of Civil Affairs, and the 273 semi-independent domains. Agents from the central government were sent to each of the domains to work towards administrative regularity and conformation to the directives of the central government. In early 1869, the national capital was transferred from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo (Eastern Capital).
During the Meiji Restoration the entire government system changed. They saw that the west was strong, " Rich Nation, Strong Military". Europe took 150 to change in the revolution but it only took Japan less than 40 in the Meiji Restoration.
However, in 1867, the country was largely a collection of semi-independent feudal provinces held together by the military strength of the SatchōAlliance,and by the status of the Imperial Court.In early March 1868, while the outcome
of the Boshin Warwas still uncertain, the new Meiji government summoned representatives from all of the domains to Kyoto
to establish a conditional review national assembly. In April 1868, the Charter Oathwas broadcast, in which Emperor Meiji set out the wide general outlines for Japan's development and modernization.
Two months later, in June 1868, the Seitaishowas transmitted to establish the new administrative foundation for the Meiji government. This administrative code was drafted by Fukuoka Takachika and Soejima Taneomi (both of whom had studied abroad and who had a liberal political perspective). There was a strange mixture of western ideas such as division of powers, and a renewal of ancient structures of administration dating back to Nara period Japan. A central governmental structure, or Daijōkan,was then established.A separate Justice Ministry was recognized to create a form of separation of powers in imitation of the western countries.
In the meantime, local administration consisted of territory removed from the Tokugawa, which was divided into regions and cities administered from the Department of Civil Affairs, and the 273 semi-independent domains. Agents from the central government were sent to each of the domains to work towards administrative regularity and conformation to the directives of the central government. In early 1869, the national capital was transferred from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo (Eastern Capital).
During the Meiji Restoration the entire government system changed. They saw that the west was strong, " Rich Nation, Strong Military". Europe took 150 to change in the revolution but it only took Japan less than 40 in the Meiji Restoration.