GASTKOMMENTAR - Japan's pacifist post-war constitution did not simply emerge from nothing after 1947

The prevailing narrative often credits the United States with imposing a democratic and peace-oriented constitution on post-war Japan. However, as this commentary from Neue Zürcher Zeitung suggests, the roots of Japan's unique pacifist post-war constitution run deeper, reaching back to innovative thinkers within Japan itself. The influence of Ueki Emori, a leading figure of the Freedom and People's Rights Movement in the late 19th century, is particularly noteworthy. His vision for a liberal, modern constitution, developed long before the end of World War II, laid groundwork that resonates with the principles enshrined in the current Japanese constitution.

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According to the common reading, it was the USA that imposed a democratic and peace-oriented constitution on the defeated imperial Japan after 1945.

Ueki Emori's constitutional draft, presented in 1881, was remarkably ahead of its time. It championed popular sovereignty, a strict separation of powers, and extensive civil liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. Crucially, Ueki challenged the divine status of the Emperor, deriving political legitimacy solely from the people. He also advocated for restricting military forces strictly to the defense of the constitution. This perspective, emphasizing an international legal order and condemning imperialism as "the greatest barbarism," stands in stark contrast to the militaristic path Japan took with its 1889 constitution, which was heavily influenced by the German Empire.

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Hardly known are its deeper own roots, going back to the innovative thinker Ueki Emori.

From a Japanese perspective, understanding these indigenous intellectual currents is vital. While Western powers often view Japan's post-war pacifism as a consequence of defeat and external imposition, recognizing figures like Ueki Emori reveals a pre-existing, albeit suppressed, domestic desire for a more democratic and peaceful nation. This internal intellectual heritage provides a more nuanced understanding of Japan's commitment to peace, suggesting it is not merely a foreign imposition but also a reawakening of deeply held, progressive ideals. The NZZ's exploration of Ueki's ideas offers a valuable counterpoint to the dominant Western-centric historical accounts, highlighting the agency and foresight of Japanese thinkers in shaping their nation's future, even if their initial efforts were sidelined by the prevailing political climate of the Meiji era.

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His 1881 constitutional draft, the so-called 'Kokken-an', was far ahead of its time.