The Japanese Empire Constitution, also known as the Meiji Constitution, was promulgated in 1889 and served as the fundamental law of Japan until 1947. It established a constitutional monarchy, outlining the powers of the Emperor and the government. The constitution aimed to modernize Japan and strengthen its governance in line with Western practices. The document provided for a bicameral legislature called the Imperial Diet, which consisted of the House of Peers and the House of Representatives. While it granted certain civil liberties, the constitution also emphasized the Emperor's authority, limiting the democratic aspects of governance and maintaining a strong central power.