Japanese government leaders, long preoccupied with violent…

Japanese government leaders, long preoccupied with violent threats to stability and the serious leadership split over the Korean affair, generally agree that constitutional government should someday be established.

Kido had favored a constitutional form of government since before 1874, and several proposals that provided for constitutional guarantees havee been drafted.

The oligarchy, however, while acknowledging the realities of political pressure, is determined to keep control

Thus, modest steps are taken.

The Osaka Conference in 1875 results in the reorganization of government with an independent judiciary and an appointed Council of Elders (Genronin) tasked with reviewing proposals for a legislature.

The emperor declares that "constitutional government shall be established in gradual stages" as he orders the Council of Elders to draft a constitution.

Three years later, the Conference of Prefectural Governors establishes elected prefectural assemblies.

Although limited in their authority, these assemblies represent a move in the direction of representative government at the national level, and by 1880 assemblies also have been formed in villages and towns.

In 1880 delegates from twenty-four prefectures hold a national convention to establish the Kokkai Kisei Domei (League for Establishing a National Assembly).