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https://doi.org/10.62836/jissh.v3i3.0016
Li, G. (2026). Hanbatsu Influence in Premodern Japan’s Foreign Policy. Journal of Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(3), 0016. https://doi.org/10.62836/jissh.v3i3.0016
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2026

Hanbatsu Influence in Premodern Japan’s Foreign Policy

The Japanese Meiji government was established and controlled by four Anti-Bakufu Hanbatsu, especially the Satsuma and Choshu Domains (Sa-Cho). Sa-Cho’s attitude towards the West transferred from hostility to intimacy, promoting the foreign relationship with the British Empire, forming the basis of Anglo-Japanese Alliance. On the contrary, establishing the route of continental expansion, which was an aggressive attitude towards China and Russia, and reinforced Japan’s military strength by looting resources from its East Asian colonies. The other two Hanbatsu, Hizen (or Saga) and Tosa failed to compete with Sa-Cho within the government, thus initiating the Liberal Civil Rights Movement opposing Sa-Cho, establishing the earliest political parties in Japan. In the name of promoting democracy and preserving the constitution, Saga and Tosa activists constantly challenged the Sa-Cho cabinets.

Hanbatsu Sonnou-Joi movement Japanese militarism Liberal civil rights movement Anglo-Japanese alliance

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Supporting Agencies

  1. Funding: This research received no external funding.