MODERNIZATION OF JAPAN (1868-1893)

The Meiji era in Japan, under the dynamic leadership of Mikado (emperor) Mutsuhito, witnessed all round progress. Although the Meiji era continued up to 1912, we will however, restrict our discussion up to 1893 in this note.

During this period Japan adopted and assimilated European culture and civilization, political and economic institutions to some extent; and reformed and reorganized its army, developed its naval forces, and made a good beginning of industrialization and modernization as discussed below:

Political and constitutional innovations: The Meiji Restoration was followed by

1. -  the abolition of feudalism in 1871,

2. -   introduction of competitive civil service examinations for recruitment to the bureaucracy and

3. -   promulgation of the constitution in 1889 as the gift of the divine Emperor.

Hence the constitution had about it an aura of sanctity. It was for this reason that the constitution remained unamended in its wording till after 1945.

Under this constitution, like the King of England, the Emperor of Japan was the fountain of all power; and like the English Cabinet Minister, the Japanese Ministers assumed full responsibility for his acts. However, unlike the King of England whose succession was fixed by Acts of the British Parliament, the Emperor of Japan was not subject to the parliament because he himself was divine and of divine ancestry.

The Constitution guaranteed certain basic rights to the Emperor’s subjects and cast upon them certain duties as well. It provided for the Imperial Diet or Parliament, consisting of two chambers

1.   the house of Representatives, elected by about the one percent

2.   a House of Peers, composed of members of the Imperial family, of higher ranks of nobility, of representatives of peers of lower ranks of nobility, of certain imperial appointees and of the highest tax payers chosen by their fellows.  

Industrial and economic revolution: The Meiji era, during 1868-1893, also inaugurated the industrial and economic revolution in Japan. The mechanical appliances of the West were adopted and thus the industrial revolution was brought to Japan. New factories, mills and workshops were erected, railways and telegraph lines were build and steamships were constructed in 1877, the telephone was introduced in Japan. At the same time, foreign trade of Japan grew at great speed and currency and banking were developed on the western patterns. Postal savings banks were also introduced. In accomplishing the industrial and economic revolution, the government took the lead; and this was according to the general character of the revolution in Japan. The Japanese had a burning desire to keep their nation completely independent and strong against foreign powers. Hence the government of Japan was averse to borrowing more from abroad than seemed absolutely necessary, so that their jealousy cherished national autonomy might not be jeopardized by foreigners through their investments in, and loans to, Japan. The same national goal promoted the Japanese government to promote the growth of those industries which would assist the army and navy and which would at the same time complete with foreign products both at home and abroad. Accordingly, foundries, arsenals’ and shipyards were build. Mines were exploited. Paper mills, chemical works and glass and cement producing factories were build. By 1890 more than 200 steam factories sprang into existence. It was however not until after 1895 that phenomenal economic, industrial and technological developments occurred.

Intellectual changes: The Meiji Era witnessed numerous intellectual changes. The imperial government of Japan introduced compulsory primary education developed secondary and higher education and established universities patterned on the models of America and Europe. Trained and experienced teachers, professors, technicians, technologists, engineers and doctors and surgeons were imported from Europe and America. Thousands of books on science, history, political science, literature and many other subjects were translated from western languages to Japnese. Newspapers and periodicals appeared.

Modern Japanese army: The abolition of feudalism was followed by a change in the character of the army. In 1872 the beginnings of conscription were made and a nationwide plan was introduced for building the army form men of all ranks of society. This meant ‘a nation in arms’.

New Japanese Laws and Courts: The Japanese reorganized their laws and courts with a view to be freed from extraterritoriality which was viewed by them as a galling badge of national inferiority in 1890.

1.   A new civils code patterned after western models

2.   The code of commercial law patterned on the German model

3.   The criminal code patterned after the French precedents, were promulgated.

By 1899, all codes were operational. As soon as the codes went into full operation, the Japanese whole heartedly to adopt the machines and the scientific techniques of the Far East. She also entered upon a path, which if pursued successfully, would make her its master’ (Ref: K. S. Latourette, A Short History of the Far East (1957) The Macmillan Co., New York, p. 421).