constitutional-monarchy
The system of monarchy in which the monarch's powers are limited and largely symbolic, as exemplified by King George V's role in Britain.
2 chapters across 1 book
Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan (2000)Herbert P. Bix
The chapter chronicles Crown Prince Hirohito's 1921 visit to England, where his exposure to King George V's constitutional monarchy and public relations strategies inspired him to seek a restoration of imperial political powers in Japan. It also reveals Hirohito's private skepticism about the divinity of the imperial line, which he reconciled pragmatically by upholding the kokutai myth for political stability. The chapter concludes with Hirohito's appointment as regent amid political turmoil, marking his transition toward active imperial leadership.
This chapter examines Emperor Hirohito's complex role in Japan's escalating militarism and political turmoil during the late 1920s and early 1930s. It details his involvement in sanctioning military interventions in China, managing political leadership changes, and navigating constitutional ambiguities amid rising nationalist and militarist pressures. The chapter also highlights the breakdown of military discipline, the Kwantung Army's autonomous aggressive actions in Manchuria, and the failure of both the imperial court and civilian government to effectively control the militarized nationalist agenda.