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| 1919, Jan. 18 |
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| The Versailles Peace Conference began (See 1919, Jan. 18). Japan was favorable toward the League of Nations, but its demand for a statement of racial equality was rejected. | 1 |
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| Feb. 14 |
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| Acrimonious debate over universal suffrage took place in the Diet. The franchise was then limited to men over 25, paying a direct tax of 3 yen, thus excluding agricultural and industrial labor, as well as all women. Organized demonstrations in Tokyo led to the dissolution of the Diet (Feb. 26). | 2 |
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| March 1 |
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| Rioting and rebellion in Korea (See 1919, March 1), following the March First Movement, was mercilessly suppressed. There followed a reform of the Korean government-general promising larger powers of self-government should Koreans abandon their independence movement. | 3 |
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| March 25 |
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| A reform act increased the electorate from 1.5 million to 3.0 million. | 4 |
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| May 10 |
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A general election, with universal suffrage a dominant issue, resulted in 283 seats for the government party (Seiy kai), which was opposed to it, 108 for the Kenseikai, and 68 for other parties. | 5 |
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