Yoshino Sakuzo
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese
academic, historian, author and professor of political science.
This Japanese author active as a political thinker in the Taishō
period. He is best known for his formulation of the theory of "Minponshugi," or politics of the people.
Yoshino graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1904. In 1906 he went to China as a private tutor for the son of Yuan Shikai
, the then dominant Chinese politician. He returned in 1909 and took a position teaching political history and theory in the Faculty of Law at Tokyo Imperial University until 1924. In 1910, he went abroad for three years to study in Germany, England and the United States. On his return he began to write articles discussing the problems of implementing democratic government in Japan, such as political corruption
and universal suffrage
. He published his most famous essays in the noted literary magazine Chūōkōron
. Arguably his most significant work, "On the Meaning of Constitutional Government," was written in response to the popular belief in the superiority of the Prussian
pattern. In it, Yoshino argued that democracy was compatible with the concept of the emperor's sovereignty.
In December 1918, Yoshino joined with others to establish Reimeikai
which was a society "to propogate ideas of democracy among the people." This group was formed in order to sponsor public lectures.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
academic, historian, author and professor of political science.
This Japanese author active as a political thinker in the Taishō
Taisho
Taisho may refer to:* Taishō period , a period in the history of Japan* Emperor Taishō of Japan , reigned 1912–1926. His given name was Yoshihito.* Taishō-ku, Osaka, a ward in the city of Osaka, Japan...
period. He is best known for his formulation of the theory of "Minponshugi," or politics of the people.
Yoshino graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1904. In 1906 he went to China as a private tutor for the son of Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
, the then dominant Chinese politician. He returned in 1909 and took a position teaching political history and theory in the Faculty of Law at Tokyo Imperial University until 1924. In 1910, he went abroad for three years to study in Germany, England and the United States. On his return he began to write articles discussing the problems of implementing democratic government in Japan, such as political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
. He published his most famous essays in the noted literary magazine Chūōkōron
Chuokoron
is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly...
. Arguably his most significant work, "On the Meaning of Constitutional Government," was written in response to the popular belief in the superiority of the Prussian
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
pattern. In it, Yoshino argued that democracy was compatible with the concept of the emperor's sovereignty.
In December 1918, Yoshino joined with others to establish Reimeikai
Reimeikai
was a Japanese "educational society" formed in Japan's Taishō period. The members declared themselves committed "to strive for the stablization and enrichment of the life of the Japanese people in conformity with the new trends of the postwar world."...
which was a society "to propogate ideas of democracy among the people." This group was formed in order to sponsor public lectures.
External links
- e-texts of Sakuzo's works at Aozora bunkoAozora BunkoAozora Bunko is a Japanese digital library. This online collection encompasses several thousands of works of Japanese-language fiction and non-fiction. These include out-of-copyright books or works that the authors wish to make freely available....