CMU A Second Chance to Re Write the Constitution GOVT of Modern Japan Discussion

Hello,the main goal of this exercise is a critique of the Meiji Constitution. Within the role play, my role is “The preservationists:The Power of Diet”. This has to be about 1-2 pages.

“A Second Chance to Rewrite the Constitution”

The History
In Japan under the Meiji Constitution, the emperor endowed the government with legitimacy but was not responsible for its day-to-day operations. This vacuum at the top allowed official institutions to behave as unaccountable entities. One such institution, the military, did not answer to civilians or elected politicians. From the early 1930s, the military held sway over the government and invaded vast areas in Asia. Japan’s aggression led to war against the United States in 1941. But in 1945 Japan had to surrender unconditionally and accept American occupation. Eager to remake Japan into a peaceful liberal democracy, the occupation authorities tasked the Japanese government with rewriting the constitution. It produced a barely revised version in February 1946. The American forces deemed the revision wholly inadequate and so resolved to draft a constitution for Japan instead. The resulting document, promulgated in November, is the current constitution of Japan. While the constitution has contributed to Japan’s postwar stability and prosperity, its foreign, dictated origin has led some to challenge its legitimacy.

The Scenario
Our hypothetical scenario takes place in November 1946, just before the American occupiers would publicize the document that they have written. Cognizant that a constitution imposed by foreign conquerors can invite controversy, the occupation authorities give the Japanese a second chance to write a constitution for themselves. The Japanese are given access to the version written by the Americans as reference. With the lessons of the failure of Taisho Democracy fresh on their mind, their mission is to fix the shortcomings of the Meiji Constitution so that Japan can become a sustainable liberal democracy. The areas in need of change are:

1. The role of the emperor in the government: What functions, if any, should the emperor have in a liberal democracy?
2. The rights and duties of the people: Who should have the right to vote? What should the people do for the government, and vice versa?
3. The power of the Diet (legislature): How should the Diet be structured? What power should it have?
4. The power of the cabinet (executive): How should a prime minister be chosen? What power should a prime minister have?

The Roles
For each of the areas listed above, two factions are at work:

• The preservationists: You believe that the Meiji Constitution is fundamentally sound and that only minimal corrections are needed. After all, the constitution established the foundation that made Taisho Democracy possible. So only a few loopholes need to be closed to prevent events like those in the 1930s from recurring.
• The reformists: You believe that radical changes to the Meiji Constitution are called for. After all, of the over five decades when the constitution was in force, only about ten, the 1920s, can be said to be somewhat democratic. You intend to rewrite the constitution to eliminate possibilities of an undemocratic government.