AHC: Japan does not have a military junta

So, today's challenge is simple: change history so that Japan never falls under the sway of a ultra-nationalist military junta and instead, still follows the democratic form of government that defined the reign of Emperor Yoshito during the Taisho period.
 
A POD at some point in the 1920s is needed IMHO. Maybe the US doesn't retreat into isolationism after WW! or the Washington Naval Treaty isn't accompanied by the ending of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Avoiding or mitigating the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Smoot-Hawley tariff would also be needed.

AFAIK it was the slump in global trade following the financial crisis of 1931 that pushed Japan fully into the arms of the militarists. Its export trade was savaged by tariffs and this pushed millions into poverty. Often including the families from which the IJA drew its officer class. But given that it invaded Manchuria in 1931 the seeds were sown earlier. I think the constitution gave the army (and maybe navy) a veto over government formation. At some point it became a requirement for the Army to appoint a serving officer to be the War Minister. Whenever the IJA disapproved of the Prime Minister's policy it could withdraw its representative and refuse to appoint another. Causing the government to fall and any new one to be delayed until the army approved of the PM and its proposed policies.

So a constitutional change to reduce the role of the army is needed too.

Very difficult as it requires better co-ordinated international action and Japan to reform.
 
The start might have been in the Meiji era, when the were looking for an inspiration for a constitution they looked at the UK and Germany/Prussia. They did not chose the UK. As well in their government the minister of the Navy and Army had to be approved by the Navy and Army, change it so the minister is a civilian and could help. As well, the first time there is a group of young officers that try a coup, after it fails have the Emperor say something like,"No true Japanese citizen would do anything like that." Have them stripped of their standing in the community. As well have when a minister retires, they have little to no say in the current government. If WW1 happens like normal, send the 'gunho' troops to the Western Front and allow them the 'honour' of going over the top.
 
At the latest, have the Manchuria fiasco in 1931 fail miserably and have the government reign in on the IJ military; at the earliest, after 1900, have the Russo-Japanese War fail miserably for Japan.
 

kernals12

Banned
The start might have been in the Meiji era, when the were looking for an inspiration for a constitution they looked at the UK and Germany/Prussia. They did not chose the UK.
Of course they didn't, the Emperor wouldn't willingly cede all his power to the Diet.
 
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