Abolition of the han system in Japan

Background. The abolition of the han system was the culmination of the Meiji Restoration begun in 1868. The process occurred in several stages, resulting in a new centralized government and replacing the old feudal system with a new oligarchy. The second phase began in 1869, when daimyos surrendered their lands to the Emperor.

Staged Abolition. In 1869, daimyos of 260 domains followed suit in surrendering lands, fearing loyalty questions. The term daimyō was abolished in July 1869 with the formation of the kazoku peerage system. Over 1870 and 1871, missions to former anti-bakufu daimyō led to a collective decision to abolish the domains.

Centralization. In August 1871, Okubo, assisted by Saigō Takamori, Kido Takayoshi, Iwakura Tomomi, and Yamagata Aritomo, forced through an Imperial Edict reorganizing 261 surviving ex-feudal domains into three urban prefectures and 302 prefectures. Authority continued to flow to the national government, replacing the han system.

Procedural Execution. The decision to abolish domains was communicated to daimyō in Tokyo in August 1871 without prior consultation, following promotions of Ōkuma Shigenobu and Itō Hirobumi to secure domain support. This procedural step preceded the formal reorganization into prefectures.