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Initial Steps toward a Constitutional State

HOME > Initial Steps toward a Constitutional State > b. Attempts at Constitutional Government > Osaka Conference

b. Attempts at Constitutional Government

1-10 Osaka Conference

The  restaurant, Kagairo that served as the venue for the Osaka Conference From (Hanatsuzuki)
The restaurant, Kagairo that served as the venue for the Osaka Conference. From "Hanatsuzuki"

Framed placard of the Kagairo  drawn by KIDO Takayoshi with brush. From (Hanatsuzuki)
Framed placard of the Kagairo drawn by KIDO Takayoshi with brush. From "Hanatsuzuki"

After the "1873 (Meiji 6) Political Crisis", IWAKURA Tomomi and OKUBO Toshimichi formed the core of the government. A state of tension continued to exist between OKUBO, on the one hand, and out of power ITAGAKI Taisuke and KIDO Takayoshi, on the other. Concerned by this, INOUE Kaoru and ITO Hirobumi served as intermediaries in holding several meetings that started in January 1875 (Meiji 8) between the persons involved that resulted in the Osaka Conference. The Conference succeeded in getting the two sides to strike an agreement on several points, including: (1) establishing the Genroin (Chamber of Elders) and a council of prefectural governors in preparation for the formation of a constitutional government, (2) separating the Cabinet into too parts, ending the system of councilor concurrently holding ministerial posts. The result would be councilor becoming Cabinet member who would serve as advisors to the Emperor, (3) having each ministry devote itself entirely to administrative duties, and (4) establishing a Daishin'in (Supreme Court) as the judicial body.

The "Blueprint for Governmental Reform" and the "Draft Proposal of the Osaka Conference Agreement" were both drawn up during those meetings, the former representing KIDO's handwritten proposal about the form of government, and the latter representing an agreement concluded by ITAGAKI and INOUE regarding political activities.

Blueprint for Governmental Reform

Blueprint for Governmental Reform
  • Circa January-February 1875 (Meiji 8)
  • Papers of FURUSAWA Shigeru, #25
  • National Diet Library
"NDL Digital Collections"

Draft Proposal of the Osaka Conference Agreement

Draft Proposal of the Osaka Conference Agreement
  • Circa Jan.-Feb. 1875 (Meiji 8)
  • Papers of FURUSAWA Shigeru, #26
  • National Diet Library
"NDL Digital Collections"

Addendum to the Draft Proposal of the Osaka Conference Agreement

Addendum to the Draft Proposal of the Osaka Conference Agreement
  • Circa Jan.-Feb. 1875 (Meiji 8)
  • Papers of FURUSAWA Shigeru, #27
  • National Diet Library
"NDL Digital Collections"
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