The was promoted by Japanese author
Kita Ikki
was a Japanese author, intellectual and political philosopher who was active in early Shōwa period Japan. Drawing from an eclectic range of influences, Kita was a self-described socialist who has also been described as the "ideological father ...
in the 1930s, with the goal of restoring power to the newly enthroned
Emperor Shōwa
Emperor , commonly known in English-speaking countries by his personal name , was the 124th emperor of Japan, ruling from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989. Hirohito and his wife, Empress Kōjun, had two sons and five daughters; he was ...
and abolishing the
liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
Taishō democracy. The aims of the "Shōwa Restoration" were similar to the
Meiji Restoration
The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ...
as the groups who envisioned it imagined a small group of qualified people backing up a
strong Emperor. The
Cherry Blossom Society envisioned such a restoration.
The
February 26 Incident was an attempt to bring it about, failing heavily because they were unable to secure the support of the Emperor. The chief conspirators surrendered in the hope to make their trial advance the cause, a hope which was foiled by the trials being conducted secretly.
[Meirion and Susie Harries, ''Soldiers of the Sun: The Rise and Fall of the Imperial Japanese Army'' p 193 ]
Although all such attempts failed, it was a first step on the rise of
Japanese militarism
refers to the ideology in the Empire of Japan which advocates the belief that militarism should dominate the political and social life of the nation, and the belief that the strength of the military is equal to the strength of a nation.
Histo ...
.
References
Empire of Japan
Japanese militarism
Shōwa period
Hirohito
{{Japan-hist-stub