MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)

HISTORY POLITICS RELIGION History Overview Early Japan Nara, Heian Periods Kamakura Period Muromachi Period Azuchi, Momoyama Edo Period Militarism, WW2 Post War Emperor Shinto

In 1867/68, the Tokugawa era found an end in the Meiji Restoration. The emperor Meiji was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The actual political power was transferred from the Tokugawa Bakufu into the hands of a small clique of nobles and former samurai. The new Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and military. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas. The new government aimed to make Japan a democratic state with equality among all its people. The boundaries between the social classes of Tokugawa Japan were gradually broken down. Consequently, the samurai were the big losers of those social reforms since they lost all their privileges. The reforms also included the establishment of human rights such as religious freedom in 1873. In order to stabilize the new government the former feudal lords (daimyo) had to return all their lands to the emperor. This was achieved already in 1870 and followed by the restructuring of the country in prefectures. The education system was reformed after the French and later after the German system. Among those reforms was the introduction of compulsary education. After about one or two decades of intensive westernization, a revival of conservative and nationalistic thoughts took place: principles of Confucianism and Shinto including the worship of the emperor were increasingly emphazised and indoctrinated at the educational institutions. Catching up on the military sector was, of course, a high priority for Japan in an era of European imperialism. Like many subjugated Asian nations, also the Japanese were forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers. Universal conscription was introduced, and a new army modelled after the Prussian force, and a navy after the British one were established. In order to transform the agrarian economy of Tokugawa Japan into a developed industrial one, many Japanese scholars were sent abroad to study Western science and languages, while foreign experts taught in Japan. The transportation and communication networks were improved by means of large governmental investments. The government also directly supported the prospering of businesses and industries, especially the large business houses (zaibutsu). The huge expenditures led to a financial crisis in the middle of the 1880's which was followed by a reform of the currency system and the establishment of the Bank of Japan. The textile industry grew fastest and remained the largest Japanese industry until WW2. Work conditions in the early factories were very bad, and developing socialist and liberal movements were soon suppressed by the ruling clique (genro). On the political sector, Japan received its first real constitution in 1889. A parliament, the Diet was established while the emperor kept sovereignty: he stood at the top of the army, navy, executive and legislative power. The clique (genro), however, kept on holding the actual power, and the able and intelligent emperor Meiji agreed with most of their actions. Political parties did not yet gain real power due to the lack of unity among its members. Conflicts of interests in Korea between China and Japan led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95. Japan defeated China, received Taiwan, but was forced by Western powers to return other territories. This action made the Japanese army and navy to intensify their rearmament. New conflicts of interests in Korea and Manchuria, this time between Russia and Japan, led to the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05. The Japanese army also won this war gaining territory and finally some international respect. Japan further increased her influence on Korea and annexed her completely in 1910. In Japan, the war successes caused nationalism to increase even more whereas other Asian nations also started to develop national self confidence. In 1912 emperor Meiji died, and the era of the ruling clique (genro) was about to end.

MEIJI RESTORATION Meiji Restoration (Korean Studies at Berkely) Some information on the Meiji restoration. Sino-Japanese War About the causes of the Sino-Japanese war (1894-95). The Russo-Japanese War About the course of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05). Museum Meiji-Mura Open-air museum for preserving and exhibiting Japanese architecture of the Meiji period. A letter to an emperor (Small Planet Communications) About American expanison in the Pacific. No links yet.