The nineteenth article of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan states 'Japanese citizens can equally be appointed as administrative/military officials and other official positions according to the criteria determined by law.'
大日本帝国憲法第19条で「日本臣民ハ法律命令ノ定ムル所ノ資格ニ応シ均ク文武官ニ任セラレ及其ノ他ノ公務ニ就クコトヲ得」と定めた。