INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE Japan’s Second Constitution Released To Public... page 1 In The Drafting Of A New Constitution....................... page 4 Austrian Crown Prince Commits Suicide.............. page 2 Editorial Section: Thoughts and Views........................ page 4 Interview With Zekai Hotonobu............................ page 2
Weekly Cartoon: The New Constitution...................... page 5
Lifestyles, Fashions, Art........................................ page 3
Japan News Today www.japannewstoday.com
Wednesday, 12 February 1889
JA PA N ’ S S E C O N D CONSTITUTION RELEASED TO PUBLIC By Mercedes Li, JAPAN NEWS TODAY This morning, the Dai Nihon Teikoku Kempo (Constitution of the Empire of Japan) was made public to the nation from the capital, Tokyo (formerly Edo). Last night, Emperor Meiji handed down the written constitution to Prime Minister Count Kuroda. Ito Hirobumi, the great oligarch of Japanese government, was the main architect of this new achievement. It is the popular opinion that this constitution was written to improve upon and make changes to the Constitution of 1868, which was held as inadequate by the government and the public. The main points of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan are as follows: • The emperor is the absolute ruler or head of state. He is sacred and inviolable and has complete control of the armed forces and the nation’s foreign policy.
• The emperor can dissolve the parliament (Diet), create his own legislation, or veto any legislation that may come from the Diet. • Individual ministers who belong to the cabinet are responsible to the emperor, not the Diet. • The Diet is comprised of two houses: • The House of Peers: upper house of parliament and acts as ‘House of Review’. • The House of Representatives: lower house of parliament and consists of a group of 300 men who are elected every four years. Zekai Hotonobu, esteemed Genroin (Senate) member has commented on the Constitution of 1868: “Although the Seitaisho (first constitution) was... (cont. on page 2) Page 1
(cont. from page 1, Japan’s 2nd Constitution)... effective in early years of change, it failed to deal with the...problem of no modern constitution and national parliament that
would... garner respect and support.” Ito Hirobumi’s greatest achivement yet may be the creation of this Constitution. He was reported to have modeled the Constitution off the Prussian model, which he studied on his trip to Europe with his colleagues in 1882.
Our Home: The Four Main Islands of Japan
...(cont. on page 3)
Constitution released today from Tokyo, marked by star
CROWN PRINCE AND MISTRESS COMMIT DOUBLE SUICIDE
suicide pact. The Crown Prince was thirty years old last August.
by Melanie Rainey, JAPAN NEWS TODAY
Rumors have been spreading that the Prince was driven to suicide by his father the Emperor when he demanded that his son Above picture: the Crown Prince in death end his relationship with the Baroness. His extramarital affair with the seventeen year old Baroness has raised... (cont. on page 3)
This morning, news has reached Japan that the Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia, Archduke Rudolf Franz Karl Joseph and his mistress of a few months the Baroness Marie Vetsera (known more commonly as Baroness Mary) have committed suicide in the Crown Prince’s Mayerling hunting lodge on January 30. Alleged to first to have shot his mistress and then himself, the Crown Prince was rumored to have committed said act as a part of a
Clipping of Interview With the Esteemed Zekai Hotonobu Interview Conducted By Rachel Duke, JAPAN NEWS TODAY
Interviewer: Mr. Zekai, we are very honored to have you here with us. This is your fifth year with the Senate, correct? Zekai: Indeed it is. I am also very glad to be here with Japan News Today. I was selected into the Senate late in 1884, as my position made it easy for me to advance in politics. In my younger years, I fought against the Tokugawa shogunate, and helped bring about the Restoration. Interviewer: What is your view on the old Seitaisho (first constitution)? Zekai: Although the Seitaisho was admittedly effective in early years of change, it failed to ...(cont. on page 4)
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LIFESTYLES By Elaine D. Wood III, JAPAN NEWS TODAY With the times changing so rapidly, an average Japanese housewife (and house-husband) does need some help to keep up with the current fashions and trends. Here is Elaine’s take on Japanese fashion today: CURRENT FASHIONS The patterned silk dresses are making a big comeback this year for women, and well as men for robes. Bright colors are a mustAbove picture: the Empress and prince, with have for every young lady, and pastel greens and purples are attracting ladies of the court in the latest fashions the eye. Shoes are still black, the old traditional favorite, with new wood sandals that have braided thongs. More western- style clothes are steadily becoming ever more popular, and the older styles are vanishing into the past. New, innovative designs are showing up around Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe’s streets every day, as well as smaller towns.
ART by Velma Van Dort, JAPAN NEWS TODAY A new style of art that is growing rapidly popular with the young generations of Japan is a type of incredibly stylistic art. These styles are becoming more popular in magazines and comic series, and features a refreshing new take on beauty and proportions. The large eyes are placed low on the head, with dainty, pointed noses and sharp hair that seems to defy gravity. A label given to this type of new art is called “anime” or “manga”. We wait to see how this new fledging style will grow. (cont. from page 2, Japan’s 2nd Constitution) Emperor Meiji had promised to the public in 1881 that the government would deliver a parliamentary government by 1890. “We therefore hereby declare that We shall in the 23rd year of Meiji, establish a Parliament in order to carry into full effect the determination We have announced, and We charge Our faithful subjects bearing Our commissions to make, in mean time, all necessary preparations to that end.” The chosen architect for this new constitution is the wellknown Ito Hurobumi, a prominent member of the Japanese government. Few know that he started out as the son of a peasant farmer. Ito was born in Choshu province in 1841. His political involvement started even as early as the overthrowing of the Tokugawa shogunate. Ito traveled in 1882 to Europe on a study mission with his colleagues. The
Above picture: character Sesshomaru from Inuyasha series, art by Mercedes Li
model of the constitution that he adopted was based on the Prussian parliamentary system. Hermann Roesler, a German legal advisor to the government, lent a hand in the proceedings. He came to Japan in 1878 to serve as an advisor on international law to the Foreign Ministry. It was with his help that the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was written. Above picture:
The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, February 11, 1889
(cont. from page 2, Crown Prince Commits Suicide) ...
...many eyebrows, as the Crown Prince on his marriage to the lovely Princess Stephanie of Belgium, as remarked by his general public, appeared to be “truly and well in love”. The Royal Family have released the statement that he was “in a state of mental unbalance”. Whatever drove Prince Rudolf to suicide is still unknown. He will be buried in the Imperial Crypt (Kapuzinergruft) of the Capuchin Church in Vienna later this week. Page 3
IN THE DRAFTING OF A NEW CONSTITUTION: KEY PEOPLE By Ingrid Crane, JAPAN NEWS TODAY
Emperor Meiji Enlightened Rule. Born 3 November, 1852, our revered Emperor ascended the throne on 3 February 1867 after the death of Emperor Komei, his father.
Ito Hurobumi Born the son of a peasant farmer, Ito rose to greatness, participating in overthrowing the Tokugawa rule. The current public is very much in favor of Mr. Ito to assume the role of Prime Minister.
Hermann Roesler Invited into Japanese government to serve as advisor on international law to the Foreign Ministry. Legal expert, he has served to help advise the political department in foreign matters since 1878.
(cont. from page 2, Interview With Zekai Hotonobu) ...deal with the drastic problem of the absence of a modern constitution and national parliament that would help Japan garner Western respect and international support. Interviewer: What hopes do you have for Japan under the new Constitution? Zekai: I think that Japan will become more considerate to the rights of the people. The government is becoming more organized, so that the legislation and conference procedures will run in a more modern fashion that will support Japan’s status in the world arena. We are still learning, and have much to learn about industry and technology, and are making every effort to rise the position of Japan. We shall improve our military and education, to train the nation to a single unit of class and strength. A strong nation should have a strong people. Interviewer: Thank you, Mr. Zekai, for this interview. I wish the best for you and your family.
EDITORIALS THE NEW CONSTITUTION
By Mr. Toka I think that this new constitution is a marvelous thing for Japan! We should all be in possession of a new system of rights and privileges that give us a greater part of the government. This way, we can all be one, yes? The changing of our governing system is a good change for Japan. We need the opinions of the people in the government. We should all have a say in how our empire is run. The forming of a parliament is a wonderful thing! The parliament is the best way a government can be run! Although the new one wasn’t modeled after British lines, for which I am profusely morose, this is a good step for Japan to take towards a more modern county!
By Mr. Sanseku Why, I repeat why, is everyone so blind to the realities of life? Does this constitution, promoted and received with such amount of gusto, change the power of those who truly rule the country? Notice, my dear public, how there is no mention of those ex-samurai who run the country like a farmer drives a tractor over the crops of the people. Their power has not been limited by the word of the ink. The emperor is still a figurehead, a pretty carved princess on the bow of a ungainly ship... (the rest of his editorial has been censored, due to unnecessary language and radical views. Mr. S.J. Sands has been transferred from his abode in the Ebara district to the Toyotama Hospital for the Mentally Ill and awaits further treatment. This is his last contribution to Japan News Today. We apologize for any inconvenience.) (cont. on page 5
Zekai: You are very welcome. The best for you and yours, too. (end interview)
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(cont. from page 4, EDITORIALS)
By Ms. Zatoguwa The Dai Nihon Teikoku Kempo (Constitution of the Empire of Japan) has apparently organized the goverment of Japan into a European-style parliamentary government. However, the Emperor’s place does not seem to have the major hold on the running of this country. The power of the ruling exs a m u r a i a n d l o r d s i s w h a t r e a l l y d r i v e s t h i s c o u n t r y. The oligarch system of Japan is working, for now. All I shall say is that we should all consider what the constitution actually means and follow what the emperor decides. It would not do for the people to forget the leaders of this nation.
By Ms. Bodervich I have lived in Japan for the last two years, and am frankly amazed at the changes that Japan has gone through. Every day, there are new buildings, new companies, and news of changes taking place. The edict of modernization and governmental change that the Emperor has issued is a drastic change to the way Japanese government is organized. The formation of a new Parliament, modeled after the Prussia-German constitutional monarchy, I believe, is a big step for Japan to take towards entering the circle of world powers. A modern and efficient government is what this country needs to be respected and supported, by the countries of the world, and by its own people. Next Week’s Topic: New Company in the Making: Nintendo, Maker of Hanafuda Cards
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WEEKLY CARTOON
Art copyrighted by Mercedes Li (c)
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