Home Ministry (Japan)
Encyclopedia
The was a Cabinet
-level ministry established under the Meiji Constitution
that managed the internal affairs of Empire of Japan
from 1873-1947. Its duties included local administration, police
, public works
and elections.
, the Home Ministry was established as government department in November 1873 , initially as an internal security agency to deal with possible threats to the government from disgruntled ex-samurai
. Under the organization of the Meiji government, prefectural governors were appointed by the central government, and came under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.
Until the establishment of the first cabinet government of Japan, the head of the Home Ministry was referred to as the "Home Lord" and functioned as the Head of Government
.
Ōkubo Toshimichi
was the first Head of the Home Ministry as Home Lord. When Yamagata Aritomo
became the first Minister for Home Affairs, he organized the Ministry into sections responsible for general administration, local administration, police, public works, public health
, postal administration, topographic surveys, religious institutions and the national census
. The administration of Hokkaidō
and Karafuto Prefecture
s also fell under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.
The Home Ministry also initially had the responsibility for promoting local industry , but this duty was taken over by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce in 1881. In 1890, the Railroad Ministry
and in 1892, the Communications Ministry were created, removing these functions from the Home Ministry. The public health functions were separated into the Ministry of Health in 1938.
On the other hand, with the establishment of State Shinto
, a Department of Religious Affairs was added to the Home Ministry in 1900. Following the High Treason Incident
, the Tokko
special police force was also created in 1911.
Through the passage of the Peace Preservation Law
s, the Home Ministry was able to use its security apparatus to suppress political dissent
and the curtail the activities of the socialists
, communists
and the labor movement.
The Recreation and Amusement Association
was created on August 28, 1945 by the Japanese Home Ministry and a civilian organization through joint capital investment (50 million yen each), officially to contain the sexual urges of the occupation forces, protect the main Japanese populace from rape
and preserve the "purity" of the "Japanese race
". The official declaration of 19 August 1945 stated that "Through the sacrifice of thousands of "Okichis" of the Shōwa period
, we shall construct a dike to hold back the mad frenzy of the occupation troops and cultivate and preserve the purity of our race long into the future..." The RAA's own slogan was .
After World War II
, in October 1945, the scope of activities of the Home Ministry were severely limited by the American Occupation authorities
. The American authorities felt that the concentration of power into a single ministry was both a cause and a symptom of Japan's pre-war totalitarian mentality, and also felt that the centralization of police authority into a massive centrally controlled ministry was dangerous for the democratic development of post-war Japan.
The Home Ministry was formally abolished on 31 December 1947, and its functions dispersed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (自治省 jijishō), now the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health and Welfare (厚生省 Kōseishō),now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
, National Public Safety Commission(国家公安委員会 Kokka Kōan Iinkai), Ministry of Construction (建設省 Kensetsushō), now Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
.,
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
-level ministry established under the Meiji Constitution
Meiji Constitution
The ', known informally as the ', was the organic law of the Japanese empire, in force from November 29, 1890 until May 2, 1947.-Outline:...
that managed the internal affairs of Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
from 1873-1947. Its duties included local administration, police
Police services of the Empire of Japan
The of the Empire of Japan, consisted of numerous police services, in many cases with overlapping jurisdictions.-History and background:During the Tokugawa bakufu , police functions were based on a combination of appointed town magistrates of samurai status, who served simultaneously as a chief of...
, public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
and elections.
History
After the Meiji RestorationMeiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, the Home Ministry was established as government department in November 1873 , initially as an internal security agency to deal with possible threats to the government from disgruntled ex-samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
. Under the organization of the Meiji government, prefectural governors were appointed by the central government, and came under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.
Until the establishment of the first cabinet government of Japan, the head of the Home Ministry was referred to as the "Home Lord" and functioned as the Head of Government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
.
Ōkubo Toshimichi
Okubo Toshimichi
, was a Japanese statesman, a samurai of Satsuma, and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. He is regarded as one of the main founders of modern Japan.-Early life:...
was the first Head of the Home Ministry as Home Lord. When Yamagata Aritomo
Yamagata Aritomo
Field Marshal Prince , also known as Yamagata Kyōsuke, was a field marshal in the Imperial Japanese Army and twice Prime Minister of Japan. He is considered one of the architects of the military and political foundations of early modern Japan. Yamagata Aritomo can be seen as the father of Japanese...
became the first Minister for Home Affairs, he organized the Ministry into sections responsible for general administration, local administration, police, public works, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, postal administration, topographic surveys, religious institutions and the national census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
. The administration of Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
and Karafuto Prefecture
Karafuto Prefecture
, commonly called South Sakhalin, was the Japanese administrative division corresponding to Japanese territory on Sakhalin from 1905 to 1945. Through the Treaty of Portsmouth, the portion of Sakhalin south of 50°N became a colony of Japan in 1905...
s also fell under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.
The Home Ministry also initially had the responsibility for promoting local industry , but this duty was taken over by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce in 1881. In 1890, the Railroad Ministry
Japanese Government Railways
The Japanese Government Railways was the national railway system directly operated by the central government of Japan until 1949. It is a predecessor of Japanese National Railways and the Japan Railways Group.- Name :...
and in 1892, the Communications Ministry were created, removing these functions from the Home Ministry. The public health functions were separated into the Ministry of Health in 1938.
On the other hand, with the establishment of State Shinto
State Shinto
has been called the state religion of the Empire of Japan, although it did not exist as a single institution and no "Shintō" was ever declared a state religion...
, a Department of Religious Affairs was added to the Home Ministry in 1900. Following the High Treason Incident
High Treason Incident
The , also known as the , was a socialist-anarchist plot to assassinate the Japanese Emperor Meiji in 1910, leading to a mass arrest of leftists, and the execution of 12 alleged conspirators in 1911....
, the Tokko
Tokko
', often shortened to ' was a police force established in 1911 in Japan, specifically to investigate and control political groups and ideologies deemed to be a threat to public order....
special police force was also created in 1911.
Through the passage of the Peace Preservation Law
Peace Preservation Law
The Public Security Preservation Laws were a series of laws enacted during the Empire of Japan. Collectively, the laws were designed to suppress political dissent.-the Safety Preservation Law of 1894:...
s, the Home Ministry was able to use its security apparatus to suppress political dissent
Political dissent
Political dissent refers to any expression designed to convey dissatisfaction with or opposition to the policies of a governing body. Such expression may take forms from vocal disagreement to civil disobedience to the use of violence. Historically, repressive governments have sought to punish...
and the curtail the activities of the socialists
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
, communists
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
and the labor movement.
The Recreation and Amusement Association
Recreation and Amusement Association
The , or more literally Special Comfort Facility Association, was the official euphemism for the prostitution centers arranged for occupying U.S...
was created on August 28, 1945 by the Japanese Home Ministry and a civilian organization through joint capital investment (50 million yen each), officially to contain the sexual urges of the occupation forces, protect the main Japanese populace from rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and preserve the "purity" of the "Japanese race
Yamato people
is a name for the dominant native ethnic group of Japan. It is a term that came to be used around the late 19th century to distinguish the residents of the mainland Japan from other minority ethnic groups who have resided in the peripheral areas of Japan, such as the Ainu, Ryukyuan, Nivkh, Ulta, as...
". The official declaration of 19 August 1945 stated that "Through the sacrifice of thousands of "Okichis" of the Shōwa period
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
, we shall construct a dike to hold back the mad frenzy of the occupation troops and cultivate and preserve the purity of our race long into the future..." The RAA's own slogan was .
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in October 1945, the scope of activities of the Home Ministry were severely limited by the American Occupation authorities
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan following World War II...
. The American authorities felt that the concentration of power into a single ministry was both a cause and a symptom of Japan's pre-war totalitarian mentality, and also felt that the centralization of police authority into a massive centrally controlled ministry was dangerous for the democratic development of post-war Japan.
The Home Ministry was formally abolished on 31 December 1947, and its functions dispersed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (自治省 jijishō), now the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health and Welfare (厚生省 Kōseishō),now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan)
The ' is a cabinet level ministry of the Japanese government. It is commonly known as Kōrō-shō in Japan. This ministry provides regulations on maximum residue limits for agricultural chemicals in foods, basic food and drug regulations, standards for foods, food additives, etc.It was formed with...
, National Public Safety Commission(国家公安委員会 Kokka Kōan Iinkai), Ministry of Construction (建設省 Kensetsushō), now Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Japan)
The , abbreviated MLIT, is a ministry of the Japanese government. It is responsible for one-third of all the laws and orders in Japan and the largest Japanese ministry in terms of employees, as well as the second-largest organ of the Japanese government after the Ministry of Defense...
.,
Listing of Lords of Home Affairs
| Name | Dates | |
| 1 | Ōkubo Toshimitsu | Nov 1873 - Feb 1874 |
Listing of Ministers of Home Affairs
| Name | Dates | |
| 1 | Yoshikawa Akimasa | Feb 1904 - Sep 1905 |
| 2 | Kiyoura Keigo Kiyoura Keigo was a Japanese politician. He was the 23rd Prime Minister of Japan from 7 January 1924 to 11 June 1924, during the period which historians have called the “Taisho Democracy”.- Early life :... |
Sep 1905 - Jan 1906 |
| 3 | Hara Takashi Hara Takashi was a Japanese politician and the 19th Prime Minister of Japan from 29 September 1918 to 4 November 1921. He was also called Hara Kei informally. He was the first commoner appointed to the office of prime minister of Japan... |
Jan 1906 - Jul 1908 |
| 4 | Hirata Tosuke Hirata Tosuke Count was a statesman and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan, active in the Meiji and Taishō period Empire of Japan.Hirata was born in the Yonezawa Domain, Dewa Province as the son of a local samurai. He was sent by the domain to Edo for studies, and susequetly fought in the Boshin War on the... |
Jul 1908 - Aug 1911 |
| 5 | Hara Takashi Hara Takashi was a Japanese politician and the 19th Prime Minister of Japan from 29 September 1918 to 4 November 1921. He was also called Hara Kei informally. He was the first commoner appointed to the office of prime minister of Japan... |
Aug 1911 - Dec 1912 |
| 6 | Ōura Kanetaka Oura Kanetaka was a politician and bureaucrat in late Meiji and early Taishō period Empire of Japan. In 1907, he was raised to the rank and title of danshaku under the kazoku peerage system.- Early life :... |
Dec 1912 - Feb 1913 |
| 7 | Hara Takashi Hara Takashi was a Japanese politician and the 19th Prime Minister of Japan from 29 September 1918 to 4 November 1921. He was also called Hara Kei informally. He was the first commoner appointed to the office of prime minister of Japan... |
Feb 1913 - Apr 1915 |
| 8 | Ōkuma Shigenobu Okuma Shigenobu Marquis ; was a statesman in the Empire of Japan and the 8th and 17th Prime Minister of Japan... |
Apr 1914 - Jan 1915 |
| 9 | Ōura Kanetaka Oura Kanetaka was a politician and bureaucrat in late Meiji and early Taishō period Empire of Japan. In 1907, he was raised to the rank and title of danshaku under the kazoku peerage system.- Early life :... |
Jan 1915 - Jul 1915 |
| 10 | Ōkuma Shigenobu Okuma Shigenobu Marquis ; was a statesman in the Empire of Japan and the 8th and 17th Prime Minister of Japan... |
Jul 1915 - Aug 1915 |
| 11 | Ichiki Kitokurō | Aug 1915 - Oct 1916 |
| 12 | Gotō Shimpei Goto Shimpei Count was a Japanese statesman. He served as the head of civilian affairs of Taiwan under Japanese rule, the first director of the South Manchuria Railway, the seventh mayor of Tokyo, the first Chief Scout of Japan, the first director of NHK, the third principal of Takushoku University, and the... |
Oct 1916 - Apr 1918 |
| 13 | Mizuno Rentarō | Apr 1918 - Sep 1918 |
| 14 | Tokonami Takejirō | Sep 1918 - Jun 1922 |
| 15 | Mizuno Rentarō | Jun 1922 - Sep 1923 |
| 16 | Gotō Shimpei Goto Shimpei Count was a Japanese statesman. He served as the head of civilian affairs of Taiwan under Japanese rule, the first director of the South Manchuria Railway, the seventh mayor of Tokyo, the first Chief Scout of Japan, the first director of NHK, the third principal of Takushoku University, and the... |
Sep 1923 - Jan 1924 |
| 17 | Mizuno Rentarō | Jan 1924 - Jun 1924 |
| 18 | Wakatsuki Reijirō Wakatsuki Reijiro ōBaron was a Japanese politician and the 25th and 28th Prime Minister of Japan. Opposition politicians of the time derogatorily labeled him Usotsuki Reijirō, or "Reijirō the Liar".- Early life :... |
Jun 1924 - Jun 1926 |
| 19 | Hamaguchi Osachi Hamaguchi Osachi was a Japanese politician and the 27th Prime Minister of Japan from 2 July 1929 to 14 April 1931. He was called the "Lion prime minister" due to his physical features.-Early life:... |
Jun 1926 - Dec 1926 |
| 20 | Adachi Kenzō Adachi Kenzo was a Japanese politician of Taishō and early Shōwa periods. Originally from Kumamoto, he was involved in the murder of the Korean queen in 1895. He was a founding member of the Kumamoto National Party and was elected to the House of Representatives of Japan in 1902. He was active in the Rikken... |
Dec 1926 - Mar 1927 |
| 21 | Hamaguchi Osachi Hamaguchi Osachi was a Japanese politician and the 27th Prime Minister of Japan from 2 July 1929 to 14 April 1931. He was called the "Lion prime minister" due to his physical features.-Early life:... |
Mar 1927 - Apr 1927 |
| 22 | Suzuki Kisaburō | Apr 1927 - May 1928 |
| 23 | Tanaka Giichi Tanaka Giichi Baron was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, politician, and the 26th Prime Minister of Japan from 20 April 1927 to 2 July 1929.-Early life and military career:... |
- May 1928 |
| 24 | Mochizuki Keisuke | May 1928 - Jul 1929 |
| 25 | Adachi Kenzō Adachi Kenzo was a Japanese politician of Taishō and early Shōwa periods. Originally from Kumamoto, he was involved in the murder of the Korean queen in 1895. He was a founding member of the Kumamoto National Party and was elected to the House of Representatives of Japan in 1902. He was active in the Rikken... |
Jul 1929 - Dec 1931 |
| 26 | Nakahashi Tokugorō | Dec 1931 - Mar 1932 |
| 27 | Inukai Tsuyoshi Inukai Tsuyoshi was a Japanese politician and the 29th Prime Minister of Japan from 13 December 1931 to 15 May 1932.-Early life:Inukai was born to a former samurai family of the Niwase Domain, in Niwase village, Bizen Province , and was a graduate of Keio Gijuku in Tokyo. In his early career, he worked as a... |
- Mar 1932 |
| 28 | Suzuki Kisaburō | Mar 1932 - May 1932 |
| 29 | Yamamoto Tatsuo | May 1932 - Jul 1934 |
| 30 | Gotō Fumio | Jul 1934 - Mar 1936 |
| 31 | Ushio Keinosuke | Mar 1936 - Feb 1937 |
| 32 | Kawarada Kakichi | Feb 1937 - Jun 1937 |
| 33 | Baba Eiichi | Jun 1937 - Dec 1937 |
| 34 | Suetsuga Nobumasa | Dec 1937 - Jan 1939 |
| 35 | Kido Kōichi | Jan 1939 - Aug 1939 |
| 36 | Ohara Naoshi | Aug 1939 - Jan 1940 |
| 37 | Kodama Hideo Hideo Kodama Count , was a politician, and wartime cabinet minister in the Empire of Japan. He was the eldest son of famed Russo-Japanese War general Kodama Gentarō, and his wife was the daughter of Prime Minister Terauchi Masatake.- Biography :... |
Jan 1940 - Jul 1940 |
| 38 | Yasui Eiji | Jul 1940 - Dec 1940 |
| 39 | Hiranuma Kiichirō | Dec 1940 - Jul 1941 |
| 40 | Tanabe Harumichi | Jul 1941 - Oct 1941 |
| 41 | Tōjō Hideki Hideki Tōjō Hideki Tōjō was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army , the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II, from 17 October 1941 to 22 July 1944... |
Oct 1941 - Feb 1942 |
| 42 | Yuzawa Michio | Feb 1942 - Nov 1942 |
| 43 | Tōjō Hideki Hideki Tōjō Hideki Tōjō was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army , the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II, from 17 October 1941 to 22 July 1944... (Acting Minister) |
Nov 1942 - Jan 1943 |
| 44 | Yuzawa Michio | Jan 1943 - Apr 1943 |
| 45 | Andō Kisaburō | Apr 1943 - Jul 1944 |
| 46 | Odachi Shigeo | Jul 1944 - Apr 1945 |
| 47 | Abe Genki | Apr 1945 - Aug 1945 |
| 48 | Yamazaki Iwao | Aug 1945 - Oct 1945 |
| 49 | Horikiri Zenjirō | Oct 1945 - Jan 1946 |
| 50 | Mitsuchi Chuzō | Jan 1946 May 1946 |
| 51 | Ōmura Seiichi | May 1946 - Jan 1947 |
| 52 | Uehara Etsujirō | Jan 1947 May 1947 |
| 53 | Kimura Kozaemon | Jun 1947 - Dec 1947 |
External links
- National Archives of Japan: Illustrations of Road to Nikko, scroll purchased by Home Ministry (1881) -- see ministry seal in red