In Japan the Peerage Law was enacted by Imperial Household Ministry in 1884 after Meiji Restoration, and Article 2 stipulated the Kazoku (peerage) was divided into Gotoshaku or five ranks including duke, marquis, count, viscount and baron, under which a marquis ranked second after a duke
日本では明治維新後の明治17年（1884年）に宮内省達華族令が制定され、第二条において華族を公侯伯子男の五等爵とされ、侯爵は公爵に次ぐ第2位とされた。