Japan's political history

Japan's political history features a long era of imperial rule with emperors as symbolic leaders until the 19th century. In 1868, the Meiji Restoration restored imperial power and modernized the nation. Japan became a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government, but militarism grew in the early 20th century, leading to World War II. After Japan's defeat in 1945, the country adopted a pacifist constitution, establishing a parliamentary democracy. Post-war economic growth transformed Japan into a global economic power. Today, Japan’s political system is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government, characterized by elected representatives, a prime minister, and a ceremonial emperor.