THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE The Hara cabinet continued in power until Nov. 1921. From a Japanese point of view, it was only moderately successful in foreign politics and many accusations of corruption in domestic matters were brought against it. Nevertheless the sudden assassi nation of Mr. Hara on Nov. 4 appeared to be the act of a crazy youth rather than a sign of popular resentment. Takahashi, minister of finance, succeeded Hara both as prime minister and head of the Seiyukai party but, finding the cabinet not amenable to his leadership, resigned after six months and Admiral Tomo saburo Kato, minister of marine and chief delegate to the Wash ington Conference, became prime minister in June 1922. Though he had no party affiliations he was promised the unconditional support of the Seiyukai. His first act was to abolish the tem porary Diplomatic Investigation Council established in 1917. He endeavoured to cope with the growing social unrest and with the very serious commercial depression which was beginning to set in as a reaction after the abnormally favourable conditions which had prevailed at the end of the war. Unfortunately his health was bad and he died after little more than a year of office. Count Yamamoto, who had lived in retirement since the collapse of his cabinet in 1914, was commanded by the throne to form a ministry and while he was engaged on the task there occurred the terrible earthquake of Sept. 1, 1923 (see EARTHQUAKE). This stupendous disaster relegated ordinary political affairs to a sec ondary place for some time.
The Government took prompt action for the relief of the afflicted population, but the question of reconstruction created great divergences of opinion and the projects of Viscount Goto, minister of the interior, and the officials principally concerned created much discussion. On Dec. 27 another crazy youth made an attempt on the Prince Regent's life and the cabinet, regarding it as a disgrace to their administration, resigned. This action was entirely in accordance with Japanese political etiquette, but it was probably also a not unwelcome escape from a difficult position. Viscount Kiyoura was summoned to form a ministry. His cabinet was non-party and consisted almost entirely of bureaucrats and, as it showed no marked ability in dealing with the pressing problems created by the earthquake, discontent became general.
The Seiyukai split into two sections, the seceding party being called the Seiyuhont5. A general election was held in May, at which the Kenseikai party obtained 162 seats, the Seiyukai 137, and the SeiyuhontO 94. Viscount Kato Takaaki, former minister of foreign affairs and ambassador at London, formed a coalition cabinet and in March, 1925, carried through the Uni versal Suffrage Bill, by which all males above 25 received the vote. But divisions began to appear in the coalition cabinet and some important members resigned. Gen. Giichi Tanaka became head of the Seiyukai and there was much talk of this party re uniting with the SeiyuhontO. In July the cabinet could not agree upon a scheme proposed for the reduction of taxation and Kato resigned. He was ordered, however, to continue as prime minister and accordingly formed a new and homogeneous cabinet, consist ing entirely of Kenseikai members but, unfortunately, he died suddenly in the following January. The minister of home affairs, Wakatsuki, succeeded him. Difficulties connected with immi gration into America increased. In 1921 California and the other Western States made it illegal for a Japanese to own or lease land or even act as guardian for his own children born in America (who are by law American citizens) if they held land. On May 15, 1924, Congress passed an immigration law excluding Asiatics, which was regarded as equivalent to a declaration that Japanese, whatever their individual merits might be, were in admissible as immigrants. This discrimination aroused profound resentment in Japan and the Government protested.
The Emperor Taisho died on Christmas Day 1926 and was succeeded by his son the prince regent, who adopted Showa as the title of his reign.
In November and December 1928 the new Emperor performed all the ceremonies prescribed by tradition in connection with his enthronement, and made several pronouncements declaring the policy of the Showa era. A new ministry was formed by Yuko Hamaguchi, July 2, 1929. (C. EL.)