Characteristics of Political Institutions in the Meiji period

Newly created institutions: the Japanese government and Diet brought Japan closer to the advanced modern countries, which was the goal of all the reforms the new government sought. This complex and difficult process has had positive results and has met the expectations of its creators. Among other things, the reformers succeeded in involving the entire population in the process of modernising the country. The purpose of the creation of the House of Peers was to involve the entire nobility, both court and military, in participation in governance. In addition, the reforms of the noble titles also brought together the court aristocracy and the military nobility. In addition, representatives of the former lower nobility were elevated to the level of the formerly high-ranking nobility as a reward for their contribution to establishing the new political order. The creation of modern governmental institutions was necessary above all to strengthen Japan’s international position. The newly established Diet, although its powers were limited, was also of great significance in that it involved all sections of society in participating in the modernisation of the country, thus achieving in a relatively short period almost equal status with Western countries.