The aim of the Meiji government, which was created by the restoration of Imperial rule after Taisei-hokan (transfer of power back to the emperor) from the Edo Shogunate, was to establish the basis of direct Imperial rule by the emperor by the abolition of the Shogunate and the positions of Regent and Chief advisor to the emperor, and to investigate ways to reform and catch up with foreign countries (mainly, powerful countries in Western Europe and North America).
江戸幕府による大政奉還を受け、王政復古(日本)によって発足した明治新政府の方針は、天皇親政（旧来の幕府・摂関などの廃止）を基本とし、諸外国（主に欧米列強国を指す）に追いつくための改革を模索することであった。