The , or
Taisho era, is a period in the
history of Japan dating from July 30, 1912, to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign of the
Emperor Taisho. The new emperor was a sickly man, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen (or
genro) to the
Diet of Japan and the democratic parties. Thus, the era is considered the time of the liberal movement known as the "
Taisho democracy" in Japan; it is usually distinguished from the preceding chaotic
Meiji period and the following
militarism-driven first part of the
Showa period.