Constitutionalist Party of Japan (Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum)

The Constitutional Party of Japan (立憲党 Rikkento) is Japanese political party founded in 1927. It was part of the National Front with the Nationalist Party of Japan (MKT) since 1927.

Early history
The Constitutional Party was primarily founded by several Japanese liberal-democrats and moderates who sided with the Nationalists in Japanese Civil War. Together with Christian People’s Party, the Constitutionalists representing the right-wing elements of National Front.

Although the Constitutionalists seem like a loyal and subordinate party for the stronger Nationalist Party during First Republic era. But, during Occupation era, the Constitutional Party played more greater role as the party seen more cooperative by the United States.

The United States-supported Provisional Committee for Japan Reorganization established in September 7, 1945 composed mostly by the Constitutionalists. The acting President of Republic, General Katobushi Toshio appointed Yoshinohe Yamada, the Constitutional Party leader as the Prime Minister of Japan in December 4, 1945.

However, the Constitutionalists did not took over power of the Republic. Ichiyama Kusano, the "Loyalist faction" leader of the Party stated the party platform was for “guided the 1925 Revolution together with our brother Party, the Nationalists to developed a peaceful and prosperous society-nation in Japan”.

The Constitutionalists-dominated Council of Ministers supported the restoration of Nationalist Party in Japan on early 1946. The right-wing leader of Nationalists, Mizunari Kazama regarded the Constitutionalists’ support as “the greatest political turn to save the principles of Revolution and 1931 Constitution”.

Japanese constitutionalism
The party’s greatest triumph were the amendments of 1931 Japanese Constitution in 1946. During the Occupation era, Constitutional Party was the main advocate of Japanese constitutionalism. Ozaki Yukio, most respected senior member of Constitutional Party during his speech before the Party Convention in March 17, 1946 stated


 * “We acknowledged the Nationalist Party political legitimacy over the Revolution. But, it does not mean this country will ruling over the rule of several men, under the oligarchy of Revolution. Under the recent situation, we had more ways to overturn this country as we wanted. But, we cannot and we must not to do it.


 * What we want is to save the Revolution and to protect the rights of citizens at one time. We believed the Nationalist Party leadership over the Revolution is the better way for our nation. The Nationalists shaped our nation’s form under internationalistic world peace idea integrated with the populist nationalism.


 * We, the Constitutionalist, is not the opposition for the Revolution, so must not to oppose our same-blood brother. We must supports the check and balance system in our precious Republic government. It must be not the Front parties over the Constitution, but the Constitution over all Front parties.


 * Every parties must enshrined the 1931 Constitution in their own constitutions and statutes. All belongs to the people, through the Constitution, not through the representatives. The Constitution will save every parties, every organizations, and every citizens over political injustice
 * I, personally, not believed our Revolution to had only a vanguard revolutionary party, but also had the vanguard democratic constitution for our Democracy”

Nagayama Yoshida, Mizunari Kazama and several leaders of Nationalists Party warmly supported Ozaki’s speech. During the series of Congress session between April 1946 to August 1947, almost all of Nationalist congressmen always agreed to passes the Constitutionalist’s amendment proposals such as to add the obligation for joint meeting between Legislative Council and State Council; to remove any war references; to remove President’s rights to veto the Congress decisions in favor of collective leadership; and to repeal the 1930 Election Law.