There were constituents in the Diet, during the 1920s, that called for a liberalization of Japan during the early 20th century. Unfortunately, Japan had fallen under the sway of the influence of the Military, especially the war hawks in the Military, who had infiltrated not only the ranks of the Imperial Privy Council, but had utilized scare tactics , threats, and even outright assassinations of major Japanese lawmkers in the Diet. It was similar to the way how the Nazi Party took control of Germany during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
The first thing that the Military Government did when it took control was the repression of the media. Interestingly enough prior to the Military taking control, Japan had a liberalized news media, and one that was ideal and a model for Asia. I blame the Military Government for not only steering Japan towards war with China and the West, but for the losses of lives in Asia.
I can't help of wonder and dream of what could have happened....had Japan retained and protected its fragile Democracy during the early 20th century.