JAPONYA’DA YURTTAŞLIK KAVRAMI: “SHINMIN臣民 - SHIMIN 市民 – KOKUMIN国民 - KŌMIN 公民” KAVRAMLARININ ANALİZİ
THE CONCEPT OF CITIZENSHIP IN JAPAN: ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPTS “SHINMIN臣民 - SHIMIN 市民 – KOKUMIN国民 - KŌMIN 公民”

Summary/Abstract: The Meiji period, during which Japan transitioned from a feudal structure to a modern nation-state, represented a comprehensive modernization program not only in terms of economy, science and technology but also in the political sphere. This era, marked by the examination of Western liberal ideas, witnessed significant transformations in constitutionalism, rights and freedoms, social structure and identity formation. Ensuring national unity remained a primary objective throughout this period. With the promulgation of the Constitution of 1889, the legal transformation of the Japanese “subject” to “citizen” was realized. However, in line with the goal of national unity, a nationalist model of Japanese citizenship emerged, characterized by loyalty to the Emperor and the state. This study examines the concept of citizenship during the Meiji period through the notions of shinmin ( 臣民), shimin (市民), kokumin (国民) and komin (公民). It focuses, within the framework of nationalism theory, on questions such as the transformation of basic class definitions, the ideology underlying the conception of citizenship and the fundamental concepts and qualities that define Japanese citizenship and civic consciousness. The findings indicate the emergence of a citizenship model constructed on patriotism and national unity, characterized by an acknowledgment of the state as as legitimate authority and a deep sense of loyalty to both the state and the Emperor.

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