Question: who launched the meiji restoration?
Answer: These two leaders supported the Emperor Kōmei (Emperor Meiji's father) and were brought together by Sakamoto Ryōma for the purpose of challenging the ruling Tokugawa shogunate (bakufu) and restoring the Emperor to power. After Kōmei's death on January 30, 1867, Meiji ascended the throne on February 3.