The Constitution of 1868 stated the Imperial Covenant Consisting of Five Articles at the beginning to define the basic policy of the new government, established Dajokan (Grand Council of State) as the central government to control national authority, and assigned two hosho (co-equal executive officers) as the heads of Dajokan.
冒頭に五箇条の御誓文を掲げてこれを政府の基本方針と位置づけ、国家権力を総括する中央政府として太政官を置き、2名の輔相をその首班とした。