Meiji Restoration

Meiji Restoration
Part of the end of the Edo period
Promulgation of the new Japanese constitution by Emperor Meiji in 1889
Date3 January 1868
LocationJapan
OutcomeOverthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate

The Meiji Restoration (Japanese: 明治維新, romanizedMeiji Ishin), referred to at the time as the Honorable Restoration (御維新, Goishin), 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 ruling emperors before the Meiji Restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political system under the Emperor of Japan.[1] The goals of the restored government were expressed by the new emperor in the Charter Oath.

The Restoration led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure and spanned both the late Edo period (often called the Bakumatsu) and the beginning of the Meiji era, during which time Japan rapidly industrialized and adopted Western ideas and production methods.