Taika Reforms

Japan implemented political and administrative reforms following the assassination of Soga no Iruka by Prince Naka no Ōe and Nakatomi no Kamatari on July 10, 645 CE. After Emperor Kōtoku assumed power, he issued reform edicts in 646 that emulated Tang China's centralized system. The reforms abolished private land ownership, established a feudal system, reorganized provinces, implemented merit-based appointments, created a legal code, and strengthened imperial authority. These changes established Japan's ritsuryō administrative system and transitioned Japan toward centralized governance.