International Law and Political Changes in Japan during the Meiji Era (1868-1912): A Case Study of Political Institutional Changes and Adjustment to Diplomatic Affairs

Abstract

This study aims to find how international law that comes along with the expansion of western power affected Japan to domestic institutional changes and diplomatic changes. The study was divided into two parts: 1) the study of the influence of international law on changes in domestic political institutions and 2) the study of the influence of international law on the transformation of Japanese diplomacy in foreign nations by using indicators related to the standard of civilization. The study found that international law was the catalyst for Japan during the Meiji period to develop into Modernization. The domestic dimension had a systematic political structure application to civil rights principles and Western values within the country. The foreign extent, complied with international law, and the adaptation of international law to the law of war, established a permanent diplomatic system with Western nations. The development was undertaken to create Western recognition as a civilized and modern nation-state and as part of the international society with the western nations.