Module: Making Modern Japan: Great Expectations and Hard Times
Lecturer: Professor Rajyashree Pandey
Lecture 3 – Japan during the Taisho period
In this lecture, we would be discussing how new possibilities could’ve developed in
Japan, the foster of democratic growth, and looking within the Taisho period itself to
see the roots of Taisho fascism.
Taisho period (1912-26)
Japanese fascism arose during this period.
It has been said that the Taisho period is a complex, contradictory and malevolent
period – there was unpredictability as to which direction Japan could have taken.
The Meiji project produced different forms of modernity.
Defining features of the Taisho period
The Taisho period marked the development of democracy in Japan.
Japan went into two wars. It led them to acquire Taiwan and Korea as
colonies.
Development of multi-party rule.
Universal male suffrage was adopted.
Many movements took place such as anarchist movements, labour
movements, student movements, women movements where women fought
for universal suffrage to include women.
Everyone had their assigned place in society.
This was the period where we see a growth of new forms of dissemination of
newspapers and magazines.
Meiji legacy
1
Lecturer: Professor Rajyashree Pandey
Lecture 3 – Japan during the Taisho period
In this lecture, we would be discussing how new possibilities could’ve developed in
Japan, the foster of democratic growth, and looking within the Taisho period itself to
see the roots of Taisho fascism.
Taisho period (1912-26)
Japanese fascism arose during this period.
It has been said that the Taisho period is a complex, contradictory and malevolent
period – there was unpredictability as to which direction Japan could have taken.
The Meiji project produced different forms of modernity.
Defining features of the Taisho period
The Taisho period marked the development of democracy in Japan.
Japan went into two wars. It led them to acquire Taiwan and Korea as
colonies.
Development of multi-party rule.
Universal male suffrage was adopted.
Many movements took place such as anarchist movements, labour
movements, student movements, women movements where women fought
for universal suffrage to include women.
Everyone had their assigned place in society.
This was the period where we see a growth of new forms of dissemination of
newspapers and magazines.
Meiji legacy
1
