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What powers did the Meiji Constitution give to the emperor?

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Map showing the territorial expansion of the Japanese Empire from 1870 to 1942 across East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The map uses color codes to indicate the original Japanese territory in 1870, subsequent acquisitions, and the farthest extent of Japanese occupation and conquest by 1942, including parts of China, Korea, Manchuria, Southeast Asia, and numerous Pacific islands. An inset map displays the broader reach of Japanese control at its peak. — Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan, 1870–1942.

The Meiji Constitution, promulgated in 1889, established the emperor as the central authority of the Japanese state, declaring him "sacred and inviolable." Under this document, the emperor was granted extensive formal powers, including:12

Military Control: The emperor held supreme command over the army and navy, with the power to make decisions regarding war and peace.32
Executive Authority: He possessed the power to appoint the prime minister and cabinet members. Additionally, he could dissolve the lower house of the Diet at will.32
Legislative and Constitutional Role: The constitution was presented as a gift from the emperor, and amendments could only be initiated by him.2

While the constitution vested these significant powers in the emperor, in practice, government functions were carried out by ministers, military leaders, bureaucrats, and the genro (elder statesmen) acting in his name. This structure ensured that the executive branch could claim to represent the imperial will, effectively centralizing political power within the imperial state.312