However, after the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution, limited suffrage was extended to male property holders, aged over 25 years, who paid more than 15 Yen in annual taxes for elections to the lower house starting in 1890.
Almost from the start of elections in Japan, popular movements arose to eliminate the tax-paying requirement, which effectively disenfranchised a large segment of the adult male population.
In 1897, the Universal Suffrage League (普通選挙期成同盟会, Futsu Senkyo Kisei Dōmeikai) was created to raise public awareness through discussion groups and periodicals.
However, the movement for universal suffrage resurfaced in 1918–1919 with demonstrations held by student and labor associations and a sudden upsurge in interest by newspapers and popular journals.
The liberal parties favored an increase in the popular franchise to keep up with the world trend towards democracy and to provide a safety valve for both urban and rural discontent.