The Rikken-Dōshi Kai ( ja, 立憲同志会, , Association of Comrades of the Constitution) was a political party active in the Empire of Japan in the early years of the 20th century. It was also known as simply the Dōshikai. Founded by Prime Minister Katsura Tarō on February 7, 1913, the ''Rikken Dōshikai'' largely served to support his cabinet against criticism by

Ozaki Yukio Ozaki (written: or ) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include: *, Japanese singer-songwriter *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese poet *, Japanese singer-songwriter *, Japanese journalist *, Japanese footballe ...

and his ''

Rikken Seiyūkai The was one of the main political parties in the pre-war Empire of Japan. It was also known simply as the ''Seiyūkai''. Founded on September 15, 1900, by Itō Hirobumi,David S. Spencer, "Some Thoughts on the Political Development of the Japane ...

'' party, which at the time held a majority of the seats in the

Lower House A lower house is one of two Debate chamber, chambers of a Bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide, the lower house has co ...

of the

Diet of Japan The is the national legislature of Japan. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives (, ''Shūgiin''), and an upper house, the House of Councillors (, '' Sangiin''). Both houses are directly elected under a paralle ...

, as well as by Inukai Tsuyoshi of the

Rikken Kokuminto Rikken may refer to: * Rikken Dōshikai, Japanese political party active in the early years of the 20th century * Rikken Kaishintō, political party in Meiji period Japan *Rikken Kokumintō The Rikken Kokumintō ( ja, 立憲国民党, , "Constitu ...

party. Katsura was able to convince 90 Diet members (including all 31 members of the

Chūō Club The Chūō Club ( ja, 中央倶楽部, lit. ''Central Club'') was a political party in Japan. History The party was established in March 1910 by a group of around 50 MPs who had previously been members of the Boshin Club and the Daidō Club or ...

and half of the Rikken Kokumintō) to join his new party. The party survived Katsura's death in 1913, and under the leadership of

Katō Takaaki Count was a Japanese politician, diplomat, and Prime Minister of Japan from 1924 until his death on 28 January 1926, during the period which historians have called " Taishō Democracy". He was also known as Katō Kōmei. Early life Katō, w ...

placed five of its members in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu in 1914–1916. It became the majority party in the Diet after the 1915 General Election, with a 153 seats. After the dissolution of the Ōkuma government, the ''Dōshikai'' merged with ''

Chūseikai The Chūseikai ( ja, 中正会, lit. ''Impartiality Society'') was a political party in Japan. History The party was established in December 1913 as a merger of Ekirakukai and Seiyū Club and initially had 37 MPs.Haruhiro Fukui (1985) ''Politi ...

'' and other small political parties to form the '' Kenseikai'' in October 1916.Jansen, The Making of Modern Japan

Election result

References

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External links

National Diet Library of Japan
Politics of the Empire of Japan Political parties established in 1913 Defunct political parties in Japan 1913 establishments in Japan Political parties disestablished in 1916 1916 disestablishments in Japan {{Japan-party-stub