Political Parties of The Empire of Japan - Domination By The Oligarchs

Domination By The Oligarchs

The opening of the Diet of Japan in November 1890 was marked by intense rivalry between the oligarchs, who reserved the right to appoint the Prime Minister and the members of the cabinets regardless of what the elected government wanted, and the political parties who were powerless because of their inability to unite and thus control the lower house. The Rikken Kaishintō gradually lost support, and was overtaken by the pro-oligarch Kokumin Kyokai, until it was reformed as the Shimpotō in 1896.

None of the political parties, whether pro- or anti-oligarch, had any power in the House of Peers, nor did they have significant power in the countryside, as key local officials were appointed directly by the bureaucracy in Tokyo.