The Meiji Constitution is also known as the Constitution of the Great Japanese Empire.

It was announced by the Meiji Emperor on February 11, 1889, and came into effect on November 29 of the following year. There are 7 chapters and 76 articles, the main contents are as follows:

(1) The Japanese Empire was "ruled by a generation of emperors", and "the emperor was the head of state and had overall control."

(2) The Imperial Parliament was divided into the House of Lords and the House of Representatives. The House of Lords was composed of royal, Chinese and imperial elected members, and the House of Representatives was composed of publicly elected members.

(3) The Cabinet consists of Prime Ministers and Ministers of State appointed by the Emperor, who are accountable to the Emperor and not to the Parliament.

(4) Judicial power is exercised by the tribunal in the name of the emperor, and it cannot be removed unless it is a declaration of the restoration of the criminal law or a disciplinary sanction.

(5) Citizens have freedom of speech, publication, assembly, association, etc. within the scope permitted by law, and have the obligation to perform military service and pay taxes.

The biggest features of the constitution are that the emperor has absolute power and human rights provisions are accompanied by restrictions. After the Second World War, Japan implemented a new post-war constitution on May 3, 1947, and the Meiji Constitution was abolished.