Taishō Democracy’s Failure: The period known as Taishō Democracy (1912-1926) was marked by attempts at democratic reform. However, political parties became increasingly corrupt and reliant on business elites, particularly the zaibatsu (large financial and industrial conglomerates). Civilian governments during the Taishō period frequently changed due to factionalism, and they struggled to implement consistent policies, weakened sense of economic security for the Japanese. For example, between 1924 and 1932, Japan saw the appointment of eight prime ministers, a sign of political instability.