Aikokusha

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The Aikokusha (愛国社, Society of Patriots^?) was a political party in Meiji period Japan.

The Aikokusha was formed in February 1875 by Itagaki Taisuke, as part a liberal political federation to associate his Risshisha with the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. It was disbanded the same year, when Okubo Toshimichi promised Itagaki that the government would draft a constitution.

When no constitution had appeared by September 1878, Itagaki revived the Aikokusha and renamed it the League for Establishing a National Assembly (国会期成同盟, Kokkai Kisei Domei^?). Its primary purpose was to petition the government to establish a national assembly. It is considered the predecessor of the Jiyutō, which Itagaki founded in October 1881.

The Aikokusha should not be confused with the Aikoku Koto, or with various later ultranationalist movements with similar names.

[edit] See also

• Liberalism
• Contributions to liberal theory
• Liberalism worldwide
• List of liberal parties
• Liberal democracy
• Liberalism in Japan