Meiji Japan

What was pre 1868 Japan like?

Japan was an agrarian economy dependent on rice and was technological backwards and famines were a recurring feat.

Which significant event happened that caused the Shogun to loose power?

Perry’s blackships revealed how technologically backwards Japan was in terms of defense and signed unfair trade deals which show Japan open it’s ports for US goods but not the other way

What was Meiji main goals

1. Economic and industrial growth

2. Modernization of the military

3. Reforms of institutions such as education

How did Meiji achieve economic and industrial growth

Through state-led industrialization which saw the government spear-heading industralization through infrastructure building such as railways, factories, mills and ports.

Through strategic involvement in key sectors such as shipbuilding(for defense and trade) and silk mills(due to the demand at the time)

How did Meiji achieve the modernization of the military?

Through strategic sectors such as shipbuilding and procurement of new weapons through trade but also through mandatory military training and service for males.

How did Meiji reform education?

Through the compulsory elementary schooling and set in place a hierachial system(elementary to high school to university) and the building of technical schools, this served to train the population for industrial tools

How did the Zaibatsu come to be?

They came to be after the government sold some state owned enterprises to the private sectors after fears of not being efficient and competitive.

How did Meiji Japan get funding?

Before Meiji people paid taxes in the form of rice but after Meiji land tax reforms, people now paid with money which helped finance many of the economic and industrial projects.

How did Meiji consoldiate power?

through the creation of a written constitution which gave supreme power to the emperor.

What are the pillars to success that can be learned from Meiji

These are political will

1. Leadership and vision: to have a national agenda for modernization and industrialization

2. Adaption of western ideas: selective adoption of western ideas

3. Rapid and decisive reforms: Speed is critical when governments are to make reforms in the name of industrialization.

How did Japan influence Malaysia?

Influenced Malaysia look east policy which saw the creation of the national car product proton.

what does “Fukoku Kyohei” mean?

Rich country, strong army.