Modern Japanese Political System - Collection of the China-Japan History Research Center

Author: Yin Yanjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: At the time of this book's publication, it coincided with the 60th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The post-war international situation and Japan had undergone significant changes. Politically, Japan transitioned from a pre-war authoritarian monarchy to a constitutional monarchy-based capitalist democratic system. Despite numerous changes in Japan's political system between the pre-war and post-war periods, many remnants of the old system remained, and even the two forms of the imperial system were inseparable. Historical lessons are worth noting. The study of modern Japanese political systems and their impact on foreign policy holds positive significance for understanding both past and present Japan. If national political systems determine national policies, then the absolute role and influence of modern Japanese political systems on its foreign policy are self-evident. This book is a research work on modern Japanese political systems, particularly the role and influence of these systems on Japan's foreign expansion policies. Over the nearly 80 years from the Meiji Restoration in 1867 to Japan's surrender in 1945, Japan's political system underwent significant evolution and several stages of development.
First, the Meiji Restoration transformed the political system from a feudal military shogunate to a hybrid form of modern Japanese and Western systems. The second stage involved establishing an authoritarian monarchy through the Meiji Constitution, combining modern Western political systems with Japan's inherent imperial system to create a unique authoritarian monarchy. Subsequently, based on the imperial system's authoritarian regime, Japan pursued full-scale modernization and continued to expand outward under the slogans of "enriching the nation and strengthening the military" to achieve the goals of an imperialist state. The establishment of Japan's imperialist system was part of its effort to overcome its colonial crisis, predicated on imitating the West and invading neighboring countries by force. After acquiring colonies through war and completely resolving its colonial crisis, Japan joined the ranks of imperialist powers and continued its foreign expansion policies with the goal of dominating Asia. The third stage saw further evolution into a militaristic regime under the authoritarian monarchy. The former—the authoritarian monarchy—was the breeding ground for the development of the militaristic regime, while the latter—the militaristic regime—was a variant of the authoritarian monarchy, with an inseparable systemic connection between the two. The imperial system's militaristic regime also served as the institutional guarantee for Japan's imperialist drive in large-scale foreign expansion wars. These transformations were closely intertwined with international and domestic political developments in Japan, and had a significant connection with the core of the political system—the emperor. It involved various aspects and factors related to Japan's political system, including the hard system stipulated by the Meiji Constitution, where the emperor was the apex and power core of the system, as well as the secular system—close associates of the emperor, social groups, local government structures, and even organized crime—whose influence was enormous in politics, though not explicitly mentioned in the constitution. There was also the soft system supporting the regime—social, ideological, and religious elements.
One prominent feature was the "national system" formed during wars, which was both a culmination and a variation of the Meiji political system and an important institutional guarantee for the development and expansion of its foreign expansion policies.
In post-war Japan, under the conditions of U.S. occupation, a series of political reforms were carried out. The new constitution drafted by the U.S. (May 1947) forced Japan to establish a capitalist democratic system. However, indirect U.S. occupation preserved the integrity of local governments, the retention of former officials and their return to politics, and the lingering influence of the old regime. The former emperor became a symbolic figure, but the loyalty of retained officials and politicians to the emperor and pre-war national consciousness did not change. The unaltered preservation of local governments left the foundation of the conservative regime intact, so despite significant changes, the existing system remained closely linked to the old one.
Although democratic ideas had long taken root in Japanese society, and the harsh lessons of war had made people realize the value of peace and the evils of war, Japan's traditional conservative consciousness, team spirit (patriotism and loyalty to the emperor), and secular attitudes persisted. The "reverence for the U.S. and disdain for Asia" mentality that emerged since the Meiji era still exists today. The stark contrast between the political system and the soft system outside it severely constrained the "democratic system," making it impossible for Japan to achieve sincere reconciliation with the countries it once invaded (China, South Korea, North Korea, etc.). On the 60th anniversary of its defeat, Japan faces new choices. The trend of amending the constitution and highlighting its political and military role as a major power has begun to cause new anxieties among its neighbors. Can the existing democratic system ensure Japan's continued path of peace, and how far will its outward-looking military policy, under the banner of "self-defense," go? Only time will tell.
The study of modern Japanese political systems is a highly complex undertaking, and it is inevitable that some aspects may be overlooked. This book analyzes the formation of the Meiji system and the various elements within and outside the Meiji constitutional system. By examining the roles of different parts of the political system in the decision-making process of Japan's modern foreign expansion wars, it attempts to clarify the intrinsic connection between Japan's modern political system and its foreign expansion policies, offering readers an overview of the evolution of modern Japanese history. If this book can serve as a stepping stone for further research and provide insights into understanding modern and contemporary Japan, the author will be deeply honored.
Based on existing research, particularly Japanese research and publicly released official documents from the Japanese government, the author employs an empirical research approach to analyze and discuss the intrinsic connection between modern Japanese political systems and its foreign expansion policies. The book also focuses on case studies of major historical events, evaluating the relevant individuals and institutions, supported by detailed and thorough arguments.