The Meiji Constitution, officially known as the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, was promulgated in 1889 during the Meiji Era. It established a framework for a constitutional monarchy, outlining the roles of the emperor and the government. The constitution aimed to modernize Japan and strengthen its governance while maintaining the emperor's authority. The Meiji Constitution introduced a bicameral legislature called the Imperial Diet, which consisted of the House of Peers and the House of Representatives. Although it provided some civil liberties, the constitution granted significant power to the emperor, limiting the democratic process. It remained in effect until it was replaced by the Postwar Constitution in 1947.