Aikoku Koto

The Aikoku Kōtō (愛国公党; Public Society of Patriots) was Japan's first political party. It was basically a liberal and left-wing party, but it quickly dissolved and formed the Liberal Party.

The Aikoku Kōtō was formed in the 1870s while Japan was still an absolute monarchy under Emperor Meiji I, thus it was originally illegal. The party first received its fame when in 1885, the party was unbanned and Itagaki Taisuke became Prime Minister, and he had formed the Aikoku Kōtō. Following his term, the Aikoku Kōtō eventually disintegrated, being defeated by Ito Hirobumi's Conservative Party of Japan . Factions of the Aikoku Kōtō became the first Japanese Liberal Party (Liberal Party).

On domestic policy, the Aikoku Kōtō was left-wing, and its political platform was liberal, though there was also some socialist influence.

It is now defunct.

See also

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