Describe how Japanese Law has developed and evolved since the 14 century up to the adoption of

its constitution in 1946.

Japanese Law has undergone significant changes and developments since the 14th century up to the
adoption of its constitution in 1946. Until 1853, Japan had no contact with the West. In the 14th
century, the military class established their superiority over the peasant class, and they were
responsible for ensuring public order and collecting taxes. Japan was divided between several
powerful local and independent lords (daymjo). Strictly observed rules of behavior, known as "giri,"
replaced law and even morality. However, in the Meiji era in 1868, all these ancient structures
disappeared, and modern legislation linked Japanese law to the laws of the West, particularly the
humanist laws of continental Europe. A series of codes was prepared with the help of French and
German jurists, and a Penal Code and a Code of Criminal Procedure, both based on French models,
were enacted in 1882. In 1890, a law on civil procedure based on German law was enacted, and in
1898, the Japanese Civil Code, based on both French and German models, was promulgated.
Therefore, the modern Japanese law may be said to belong to the Civil Law Family. In 1946, Japan
adopted a new constitution, which established a democratic government and guaranteed
fundamental human rights. The constitution also created a new legal system that was based on the
principles of democracy and the rule of law.