Charter Oath

The Charter Oath was a five article document issued by Emperor Meiji on April 6, 1868 at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, setting out the guiding principles of Japan's modernization at the start of the Meiji era. It called for the establishment of deliberative assemblies, unified governance across social classes, freedom of occupation, an end to outdated customs, and the pursuit of knowledge from around the world. The junior councilor Yuri Kimimasa wrote the first draft in relatively progressive language, Fukuoka Takachika moderated its wording, and Kido Takayoshi finalized the text in deliberately broad terms meant to appeal to both reformers and former supporters of the Tokugawa shogunate, with more than 767 officials eventually signing pledges of support. Although its promise of a deliberative assembly was not fulfilled until Japan's first parliament convened in 1890, the Charter Oath remained a powerful symbol of the Meiji Restoration's aims throughout the period.