charter oath charter oath literally oath articles emperor japan april oath outlined main aims course action followed emperor reign setting legal stage japan modernization set process people classes free jobs people went city better work remained influential governing inspiring era twentieth century considered constitution modern japan text implies text oath consists clauses oath set aim establishment national broad basis framing constitution laws assemblies shall widely established matters decided open discussion classes high low shall united vigorously carrying administration affairs state common people civil military officials shall allowed pursue calling discontent evil customs past shall broken based laws nature knowledge shall sought world strengthen foundation imperial rule origin subsequent influence draft oath written junior january containing progressive language spoke radical born leaders experienced service hereditary language colleague february prepared final form oath employing language broad embrace readings oath read aloud main ceremonial hall presence emperor officials reading nobles present signed names document praising oath swearing uphold implement able attend formal reading visited palace sign names bringing total number signatures purpose oath issue statement policy followed post government period offer hope inclusion regime domains second motivation especially important early stages restoration means domains joining remnant war later military victory safe begin push court nobles way promise reform document initially went particular parliament real power established retained political military control 20th century general oath purposely broad terms minimize resistance provide promise equity councils public discourse terms applied cooperation lords great domains classes unite indicated continue classes treated civil military officers privileged ranks recent past likely favor retention evil customs nature indicate path chosen promise seek knowledge world specific indication change late activists japan headed government world search selective designed strengthen foundations imperial rule oath reiterated article constitution june subsequent articles constitution expand policies outlined oath eighty years later wake second world war emperor paid homage oath reaffirmed basis national humanity declaration purpose american imperial emperor saw statement existence democracy era
Charter Oath