May 3: Constitution Memorial Day in Japan

Written By Notgrass History
 

Prayer Idea

Pray for the people and government of Japan.

History Note

The Empire of Japan enacted a constitution in 1889. The Emperor Meiji remained the supreme leader, but the constitution created an Imperial Diet with a House of Representatives and a House of Peers.

After Japan lost World War II, the U.S. government worked with Japanese leaders to create a new constitution. The Emperor was allowed to stay as “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People” but lost his power to control the government.

Article 9 of the new constitution said:

Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

The precise interpretation of this statement has changed over time. In 1954 Japan established the Self-Defense Forces, which have participated in international missions. Debate over this provision continues today.

Since 1948, Japan has observed May 3 as Constitution Memorial Day.

This image shows signatures on the 1947 Constitution of Japan, including the Emperor’s Imperial Seal on the right. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Learn More

This video is in Japanese with English subtitles.

Find other resources at Homeschool History.

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May 2: Lou Gehrig Ends His Baseball Streak (1939)