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Japan by the Japanese

3. All the civil or military officials shall endeavour to encourage individual industries in all classes, and to call forth their active characteristics.

4. The defective customs hitherto prevailing shall be corrected.

5. Useful knowledge shall be introduced from the outside world, and thus the foundations of the empire shall be aggrandized.

Address by Way of Preface to the Constitution and Rules of the Deliberative Assembly of the Local Authorities (May 2, 1874).

In accordance with the meaning of the oath taken by Us at the commencement of Our reign, and as a gradual development of its policy, We are convening an Assembly of representatives of the whole nation, so as to ordain laws by help of public discussion, thus opening up the way of harmony between the Government and the governed, and of the accomplishment of the national desires; and We trust, by insuring to each subject throughout the nation an opportunity of peacefully pursuing his avocation, to awaken them to a sense of the importance of matters of State. We have therefore issued this constitution of a Deliberative Assembly, providing for the convening of the chief officials of the different local jurisdictions, and for their meeting and deliberating as representatives of the people. Observe it well, members of the Assembly.

Imperial Proclamation on Administrative Reform (April 14, 1875).

At the time of Our ascending the Throne, when We became the head of affairs, We summoned together the whole of Our servants, and on five several points took oath before heaven. We determined the welfare of the country, and sought after the means whereby to insure the peace and tranquillity of the people. By the favour of the spirits of Our ancestors, and also by the exertion of Our servants, We have happily attained the slight degree of tranquillity of the present day. But, upon consideration, We find that Our assumption of power dates from no far-distant period, and that, as regards the pacification of the interior of Our country, there are by no means few matters that have to be set on foot or newly regulated. Wherefore We, now extending the spirit of Our oath, do hereby found the Genro-in, and thereby extend the fountain-head of the establishment of laws; and create the Daisin-in, and thereby render firm the powers of careful judicial procedure: We likewise call together the local officials, causing them to state the opinions of the people, plan the public welfare, and by degrees

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