Modern Japan Feudatory Party Research

Hanbatsu refer to those few warlords and members of bureaucratic group who played core role in the Meiji government after the time of Meiji Reformation. They were born from subordinate warrior families in old Satsuma and Tyousyuu areas. Because of their outstanding deeds, they gradually became the crucial leaders of government, and then made it so-called Hanbatsu government. The main representatives of the first generation of Hanbatsu include Hirobumi Yitou, Aritomo Yamagata, Kaoru Yinoue, kiyotaka Kuroda, Masayoshi Matsukata and so on. Particularly, as the successor of the Big Three of Meiji Reformation, namely Toshimichi Ookubo, takayosi Kido and Takamori Saigou, Hirobumi Yitou subsequently stepped on the central political stage of Japan and had indispensable influence on Japanese politics during the middle and late time of Meiji government. As the maker of Meiji Constitution and Hanbatsu, he established the Constitution of Japan Empire personally and put it into force in February 11, 1889 in the form of emperor's order. Therefore, the multi-dimensional political system which circles the Emperor, i.e. the Meiji Constitutional system was formed, and it also founded the cornerstone of political system for modern Japan.Before the promulgation of the Constitution, Yitou once delivered a speech on Transcendentalism which emphasizes that the government should transcend parties. While in the wake of situation changes, especially when he encountered powerful parties in the Congress during the time of his government, Yitou had to adopt a policy of mutual support with the Jiyuutou. Then the problem of this policy happened. If the government wants to get support from parties, it has to satisfy their requirements, such as spoils, and agreement on the policy of parties. On the other hand, it was also proved impossible to carry out Transcendentalism under a constitutional system after practices. In front of this adverse situation, Yitou gradually accepted party and even organized party in person. However, his plan failed twice for the reason of oppositions from other leaders of Hanbatsu, especially from Aritomo Yamagata, and lacking of support from the Emperor. Lastly, Yitou organized the Rikkenseiyūkai in 1900 by means of dismissing the Constitutionalist Party and taking part in Yitou's new party.