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| ==Elections== | | ==Elections== |
| + | The first elections were held in [[1890]]. The ''[[Jiyuto|Jiyûtô]]'' ("Freedom Party") and ''[[Kaishinto|Kaishintô]]'' ("Progressive Party"), both of which were opposed to the basic structure of the government, won 130 and 47 seats respectively; those in favor of the structure of government and rule by the ''genrô'' won only 79 seats. Considerable conflict resulted within the Diet, leading to a budget being passed only when [[Yamagata Aritomo]] resorted to force and bribery; the Diet was subsequently dismissed. |
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| + | New elections were held in [[1892]]. Police forces were deployed to intimidate the opposition, but the ''genrô'' and their government still failed to secure a supportive Diet. The Imperial institution intervened in [[1893]], but this only achieved temporary stability; elections in [[1894]] once again resulted in a majority in the Diet opposed to the government as it stood. This Diet was dismissed after only a month and a half. It was only with the nationalism surrounding the [[Sino-Japanese War]] that the government was able to achieve a considerable degree of support, and unity of purpose. |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |