The Five Charter Oath (五箇条の御誓文, Gokajyo no Goseimon) was an outline of the main aims and the course of action to be followed by the new Meiji era government of Japan after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1867 during the Meiji Restoration. The oath set a new path in Japanese history with an emphasis on modernization and the establishment of a new social structure.

1. Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by public discussion.

   This in fact never really happened. A parliament with no real power was established, and the oligarchy remained in real political control. They did allow more, however, in the way of public assemblies and political discourse.

2. All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of the affairs of state.

   This declaration was important, especially in conjunction with article three. Essentially, it meant that all people could be employed by the government, and that everyone should help the government as much as possible, regardless of position.

3. The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there may be no discontent.

   This very important statement abolished the long standing feudal order of Japan, under which all subjects occupied from birth a specific rank within the social and economic structure.

4. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature.

   This is a blanket declaration of reform.

5. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundation of Imperial Rule.

   This might seem familiar to anyone who has read about the Taika Reforms: the difference here is that instead of borrowing from China as in the past, Japan would borrow from Western powers, mostly the United States.

The Five Charter Oath was finalized by Kido Takayoshi of Choshu and, as a sign of his approval, signed by the young Emperor Meiji in 1868.

References

• Murphey, Rhoades (1997). East Asia: A New History. New York: Addison Wesley Longman. —source of the translated text of the Charter Oath and the names of the Meiji Oligarchists