Directory_and_Chronicle_1882 — Page 429

JAPAN.

CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT.

The system of government of the Japanese Empire is that of an absolute monarchy. It was adopted in the year 1863, when the now ruling sovereign overthrew, after a short war, the power of the Shogun, together with that of the Daimios, or feudal nobles, who on the 25th June, 1869, resigned their lands, revenues, and retainers to the Mikado, by whom they were permitted to retain one-tenth of their original in- comes, but ordered to reside in the capital in future. The sovereign bears the name of Supreme Lord, or Emperor; but the appellation by which he is generally known in foreign countries is the ancient title of Mikado.

Mutsu-hito, the reigning monarch, was born at Kioto, on September 22nd, 1852; succeeded his father, Komei Tenno, 1867; married December 28th, 1868, to Princess Haru-ko, born April 17th, 1850, daughter of Prince Itchijo. The reigning Emperor is the 123rd of an unbroken dynasty, which was founded 666 B.C. By the ancient and regular law of succession the crown devolves upon the eldest son, and, failing male issue, upon the eldest daughter of the sovereign. This law has often been disregarded in consequence of the partiality of the monarch or the ambition of powerful ministers, which was one of the principal causes that culminated in the dual system of Government in Japan. The old law of succession has, however, been restored during the present reign. The Throne has frequently been occupied by a female.

The power of the Mikado is really absolute, but its exercise is controlled to some extent by custom and public opinion. The Emperor himself, in 1875, when the Senate and Supreme Judicial Tribunal were founded, solemnly declared his earnest desire to have a constitutional system of government. Since that time any legislative measure, before becoming law, must go before the Senate for discussion and pass that assembly by a majority of votes. The Mikado has long been regarded as the spiritual as well as the temporal head of the Empire, but although the present sovereign is favourable to the Shinto faith, he does not actively interfere in religious matters, and all religions are tolerated in Japan. The Eclesiastical Department was in 1877 reduced to a simple bureau under the control of the Minister of the Interior. The Mikado acts through an Executive Ministry divided into ten departments, namely:-The Kunai Sho (Imperial Household), Gai Mu Sho (Foreign Affairs), Nai Mu Sho (Interior), O Kura Sho (Finance), Ko Bu Sho (Public Works), Kai Gun Sho (Navy), Riku Gun Sho (Army), Shi Ho Sho (Justice), Mom Bu Sho (Education) and Kai Taku Shi (Colonization Department), which latter administers the affairs of the Island of Yesso. The Government has been re-organized during the last few years. The Sain, or Left, was abolished in 1875, and the Shoin, or Centre, in 1877. In place of these the Gen Ro In (the Senate), and the Daishin In (the Supreme Judicial Tribunal) have been established, and, united with the Dai-jo-kwan (Imperial Council of State), form the Administrative Authority. The Du Jo Kwan, the centre of the Executive power, consists of the Prime Minister, Vice-Minister, and the Singi or Councillors. The Council is presided over by the Mikado. The ministers decide ordinary questions, only measures of Imperial importance being submited for the decision of the Mikado. The Gen Ro In discusses and elaborates or modifies all laws prepared by the Dai Jo- Kwan for enactment. The Daishin In has the power of reviewing and annulling the decrees of inferior courts. In Sptember, 1881, in a proclamation the Mikado announced his intention of granting a constitution and representative Government to Japan in the year 1890,

The Empire is divided for administrative purposes into three Fu, or cities (Tokio, Kioto, and Osaka), and thirty-seven Ken, or districts, including the Loochoo Islands, which have recently been converted into a ken. These fu and ken are governed by prefects. The prefects of the three cities are of higher rank and have more extensive powers than those of the kens. The latter are all on an equal footing, are under control of the Nai Mu Sho, and have limited powers, being required to submit every matter, unless there is a precedent for it, to the Minister of the Interior. Nor have they any concern in judicial proceedings since the establishment