Freedom and People’s Rights Movement

Also called: Jiyū minken undō

A campaign for a national assembly and a constitution, begun when Itagaki Taisuke and others who had left the government demanded an elected legislature. The government promised to open a parliament in 1890.

In January 1874 Itagaki Taisuke and others petitioned for an elected assembly, attacking the clique government dominated by men from Satsuma and Chōshū. The movement spread from former samurai to landlords and farmers, and in 1880 the League for Establishing a National Assembly was formed. In 1881 the government issued a rescript promising a parliament within ten years; Itagaki founded the Liberal Party and Ōkuma Shigenobu the Constitutional Reform Party. Repression and violent uprisings by some members weakened the movement, but it hastened the constitution and the opening of parliament.