Kenseikai

Katō Takaaki, central figure in the Kensaikai Party

Kenseikai (Constitutional Party) (憲政会, Keiseikai) was a political party in Taishō and early Showa period Japan.

The Kenseikai was founded in October 1916, as a merger of the Rikken Doshikai, Chuseikai and the Koyu Kurabu. This merger gave it a total of 197 seats in the lower house of the Diet of Japan, thus forming a majority, and raised the expectation that its president, Katō Takaaki, would become the next Prime Minister of Japan.

The party was supported by the Mitsubishi zaibatsu, due to family ties to its leader, Katō Takaaki.

However, the genrō unexpectedly nominated General Terauchi Masatake for the post of Prime Minister instead. The Kenseikai then initiated a no confidence motion, which subsequently dissolved the Diet and led to the political isolation of the Kenseikai for almost a decade.

In 1924, the Kenseikai allied with the Rikken Seiyukai and Kakushin Kurabu to form a majority in Diet of more than 150 seats, for the purpose of bringing down the administration of Kiyoura Keigo. Katō Takaaki was finally named Prime Minister, and his three party coalition (Goken Sampa Naikaku) focused on domestic political reform and a moderate foreign policy. It pushed strongly for rule as per the Meiji Constitution, without influence or control by the genrō. It also favored universal male suffrage and much needed reforms in labor laws and in the economic situation for farmers. However, despite its liberal image, the coalition did pass the Peace Preservation Law in 1925.

The Kenseikai merged with the Seiyu Hontō in June 1927 to form the Rikken Minseito.

References

• Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Belknap Press (2002) ISBN 0674009916
• Mason, RHP. A History of Japan. Tutte Publishing (1987). ISBN 080482097X