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Japan: Constitution and Western Grievances | ISC Class 11

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HistoryISC Class 11 · Rise of Militarism in Japan

The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West (ISC Class 11 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Meiji Constitution (1889) gave the army and navy direct access to the Emperor and the power to topple cabinets through service ministers. Corrupt party government of the 1920s and Western slights (the rejected racial equality proposal of 1919, the 5:5:3 ratio of 1922, the US Immigration Act of 1924 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930) turned many Japanese towards the military.

Notice that three separate causes, one at home in the constitution, one in politics and one abroad, all pushed Japan in the same direction.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West

Constitution favouring the military. The Meiji Constitution (1889) made the Emperor sacred and sovereign with ministers responsible to him, not the Diet. The "right of supreme command" let the army and navy chiefs report directly to the Emperor, bypassing the cabinet. Service ministers had to be officers, so refusing or withdrawing one could prevent or end a cabinet; relaxed in the 1910s-20s but restored in 1936. Unelected elder statesmen and the Privy Council advised the Emperor, and Hirohito (from 1926) rarely opposed the military openly. Soldiers saw themselves as servants of the Emperor, so disobedience in his name seemed patriotic.

Weak party government. Taisho democracy: party prime ministers (Hara Takashi from 1918) and the General Election Law of 1925 for all adult men; but the Peace Preservation Law (1925) allowed severe action against radicals. Corruption: the Seiyukai and Minseito depended on zaibatsu (Mitsui, Mitsubishi) for funds. Instability: Hara assassinated (1921), Hamaguchi shot (1930). Governments could not end rural poverty or the economic crisis, so many saw politicians as selfish and looked to the military and Emperor.

Grievances against the West. (1) Paris (1919): Japan gained Shandong rights and Pacific mandates but its racial equality proposal was rejected. (2) Washington Conference (1921-22): a 5:5:3 ratio in capital ships for the USA, Britain and Japan, return of Shandong to China, and the end of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. (3) US Immigration Act (1924) excluded Japanese immigrants. (4) London Naval Treaty (1930) extended limits; Prime Minister Hamaguchi, who accepted it, was shot by a nationalist in November 1930. (5) Depression tariffs shut Japanese goods out. Militarists argued that co-operation with the West had failed and Japan should rely on its own strength.

The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West: key facts

Constitution
  • 1889 Meiji Constitution
  • Right of supreme command
  • Service ministers must be officers (restored 1936)
Party government
  • Hara PM 1918
  • Election Law 1925
  • Peace Preservation Law 1925
  • Hara killed 1921
  • Hamaguchi shot 1930
Treaties
1919racial equality rejected
1922Washington 5:5:3
1924US Immigration Act
1930London Naval Treaty
Zaibatsu
  • Mitsui
  • Mitsubishi
  • Funded Seiyukai and Minseito

How to answer The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West questions

Expect a 4-mark question on each of constitution, party government and grievances, or an 8-mark combined one.

  1. 1State the constitutional loopholes: supreme command and service ministers.
  2. 2Show why party government lost trust: corruption and instability.
  3. 3List grievances with dates.
  4. 4Link grievances to the militarist argument.

The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

The 5:5:3 ratio

Suppose the USA and Britain are each allowed 500,000 tons of capital ships under a 5:5:3 ratio.

Find Japan's allowance.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Japan : USA = 3 : 5.
  2. Japan = 3/5 x 500,000 = 300,000 tons.

Answer: 300,000 tons.

Memory hook: Three fifths.

A cabinet that cannot form

Suppose the army refuses to name a minister and a new cabinet cannot be formed.

Which constitutional rule is used?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Service ministers had to be officers.
  2. Refusing one blocked the cabinet.

Answer: The service minister rule.

Memory hook: No officer, no cabinet.

Tricks to remember The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Supreme command, Service minister

    Two constitutional loopholes.

    Use it when: Constitution.

  • 19, 22, 24, 30

    Racial equality, Washington, Immigration, London Naval Treaty.

    Use it when: Grievances.

The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Zaibatsu · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The zaibatsu were:
(a) peasant unions
(b) big business houses
(c) military societies
(d) parties

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Mitsui and Mitsubishi.

Answer: (b) Big business houses.

Example 2: Supreme command · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Explain the right of supreme command and the service minister rule.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The army and navy chiefs could report directly to the Emperor.
  2. Service ministers had to be officers.
  3. Refusing to supply one could prevent or end a cabinet.

Answer: Direct access to the Emperor; power to topple cabinets via service ministers.

Example 3: Party government · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain why party government in Japan lost public trust in the 1920s.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Parties depended on zaibatsu for funds and scandals were frequent.
  2. Frequent changes of government; Hara was assassinated in 1921 and Hamaguchi shot in 1930.
  3. Governments could not end rural poverty or the economic crisis.
  4. Many saw politicians as selfish and looked to the military.

Answer: Corruption, instability and failure on poverty lost trust.

Example 4: Grievances · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain four grievances of Japan against the Western powers between 1919 and 1930.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The rejection of the racial equality proposal in 1919.
  2. The 5:5:3 naval ratio and return of Shandong in 1921-22.
  3. The US Immigration Act of 1924.
  4. The London Naval Treaty of 1930 and Western tariffs.

Answer: Racial equality rejection, Washington ratios, US immigration ban and the London Treaty.

Example 5: Evaluate · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case: A student writes that the constitution alone explains the rise of militarism. (a) Give one point supporting it. (b) Give two other causes from this topic. (c) Name the 1936 rule restored.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) Supreme command and service ministers let the military topple cabinets.
  2. (b) Weak and corrupt party government and grievances against the West.
  3. (c) That service ministers must be active officers.

Answer: (a) Supreme command (b) party weakness; Western grievances (c) service minister rule.

Where students lose marks in The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Confusing Washington and London treaties

    Years mixed.

    Do this: Washington 1921-22; London 1930.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Omitting the service minister rule

    Mechanism missed.

    Do this: Explain how refusing a minister toppled cabinets.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: One-sided blame on the West

    Internal causes missing.

    Do this: Balance with constitution and party weakness.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • List six reasons then expand three.
  • Quote treaty dates.
  • Name zaibatsu houses.
  • Give both internal and external causes.

Practice questions on The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Washington naval ratio for the USA, Britain and Japan was:
    (a) 5:5:3
    (b) 3:3:5
    (c) 5:3:3
    (d) 1:1:1

    Hint

    Capital ships.

    Answer

    (a) 5:5:3.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain why the London Naval Treaty (1930) led to the shooting of Prime Minister Hamaguchi.

    Hint

    Accused of betraying the nation.

    Answer

    Navy officers and nationalists accused the government of betraying the nation by accepting limits; Hamaguchi was shot by a nationalist in November 1930.

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    If the USA is allowed 750,000 tons under 5:5:3, find Britain's and Japan's allowances.

    Hint

    Ratio.

    Answer

    Britain also 750,000 tons; Japan = 3/5 x 750,000 = 450,000 tons.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Describe the Taisho democracy and its limits.

    Hint

    Election Law and Peace Preservation Law.

    Answer

    Party prime ministers took office from 1918 and the General Election Law of 1925 gave all adult men the vote, but the Peace Preservation Law of the same year allowed severe action against radicals and democracy stayed shallow.

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Assertion-reasonHOTS / competency

    Assertion (A): The military could bring down cabinets.
    Reason (R): Service ministers had to be officers, and the army or navy could refuse to supply one.
    (a) Both true and R explains A
    (b) Both true but R does not explain A
    (c) A true, R false
    (d) A false, R true

    Hint

    Constitutional loophole.

    Answer

    (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Constitution year?Show answer

    1889.

  2. 2.Washington ratio?Show answer

    5:5:3.

  3. 3.US Immigration Act year?Show answer

    1924.

  4. 4.Hamaguchi shot?Show answer

    November 1930.

  5. 5.Election Law?Show answer

    1925, universal male suffrage.

The Constitution, Party Government and Grievances against the West: frequently asked questions

Was the Emperor a figurehead?

He was sovereign, but Hirohito rarely opposed the military openly.

What were Seiyukai and Minseito?

The main political parties.

Why did the 5:5:3 ratio anger Japan?

It seemed to keep Japan inferior.