Taishō political crisis

Following the death of the Emperor Meiji on July 30, 1912, Crown Prince Yoshihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The final years of Emperor Meiji's rule saw increased government spending, notably for overseas investments and defense, with little credit or reserves available to cover it.

The emperor appointed Katsura Tarō, a former army general, who had served as prime minister twice before and a member of the genrō, to form the new government.

Katsura was not a popular choice with the public, which believed he focused his interests more on the military than on the rest of the people.

It was the ability of the military to withhold appointment of Army or Navy ministers that was the greatest Achilles heel of the Meiji Constitution.