Home Ministry (Japan)

The was a Cabinet-level ministry established under the Meiji Constitution that managed the internal affairs of Empire of Japan from 1873-1947. Its duties included local administration, police, public works and elections.

History

After the Meiji Restoration, the Home Ministry was established as government department in November 1873 , initially as an internal security agency to deal with possible threats to the government from disgruntled ex-samurai. Under the organization of the Meiji government, prefectural governors were appointed by the central government, and came under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.

Until the establishment of the first cabinet government of Japan, the head of the Home Ministry was referred to as the "Home Lord" and functioned as the Head of Government.

Ōkubo Toshimichi was the first Head of the Home Ministry as Home Lord. When Yamagata Aritomo became the first Minister for Home Affairs, he organized the Ministry into sections responsible for general administration, local administration, police, public works, public health, postal administration, topographic surveys, religious institutions and the national census. The administration of Hokkaidō and Karafuto Prefectures also fell under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.

The Home Ministry also initially had the responsibility for promoting local industry , but...
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