The 1881 Crisis Removes Ōkuma and Sets a Date for the Diet

In March 1881, Ōkuma Shigenobu submitted a constitutional proposal calling for the emperor to appoint leading officials from the party commanding an assembly majority. He proposed elections at the end of 1882 and an assembly opening early in 1883. These were recommendations, not institutions already agreed by the government.

Constitutional differences overlapped with disputes over finance. During the summer, opposition to the proposed Kaitakushi asset disposal joined demands for an elected assembly. Government leaders suspected Ōkuma and Fukuzawa Yukichi of encouraging the campaign; that suspicion was part of the political conflict, rather than established proof of a concealed plot.

The government canceled the disposal and removed Ōkuma in October. On October 12, the emperor issued a rescript promising to summon representatives and open the Diet in 1890. It reserved the determination of the new institution’s organization and powers to the emperor, with officials instructed to prepare them.

The rescript thus supplied a public deadline while retaining government control of constitutional preparation. It also warned against agitation that endangered public order. Ōkuma’s rapid timetable and majority-party executive were not adopted by this decision, although the promised opening gave political organizers a definite future institution to contest.