明治宪法

明治宪法(Meiji Constitution)

起自1890年迄至1947年的日本宪法。明治维新（Meiji Restoration）开始後，日本的领导阶层试图创立一部宪法，以使日本成为一个值得西方国家敬重的有力的现代国家，而他们的权利也不会因此有所动摇。如此产生出来的文献要求成立一个两院制的国会（the Diet），其中众议院由人民选出，而首相及内阁则由天皇任命。天皇被赋予军队与水师的最高指挥权。由明治的元老们（参阅genro）所组成的枢密院位於宪法之上，辅佐天皇并掌控实际的权力。在投票的限制方面，原先只有大约百分之五的成年男性人口成为合格选民，然而在後来的二十五年里逐渐放宽，最後则普遍及於所有成年男性。各政党於1920年代将他们有限的权力发挥得淋漓尽致，不过到了1930年代军方却能够在不破坏宪法的情况下攫取政权。第二次世界大战後，在美国的参赞下，标榜「主权在民」的新宪法取代了明治宪法。亦请参阅Ito Hirobumi、Taisho democracy。

English version：

Meiji Constitution

Constitution of Japan from 1890 to 1947. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan's leaders sought to create a constitution that would define Japan as a capable, modern nation deserving of Western respect while preserving their own power. The resultant document called for a bicameral parliament (the Diet) with an elected lower house and a prime minister and cabinet appointed by the emperor. The emperor was granted supreme control of the army and navy. A privy council composed of the Meiji leaders (see genro), created prior to the constitution, advised the emperor and wielded actual power. Voting restrictions, which limited the electorate to about 5% of the adult male population, were loosened over the next 25 years, resulting in universal male suffrage. Political parties made the most of their limited power in the 1920s, but in the 1930s the military was able to exert control without violating the constitution. After World War II, a U.S.-approved constitution stating that "sovereign power resides with the people" replaced the Meiji Constitution. See also Ito Hirobumi, Taisho democracy.