4.

The
Transformation of
Japan - The Meiji
Modernization
(1868-1912)
 Table of Contents

Background to the
Meiji Modernization 4.1 4.2 Main reform measures

Result and significance

4.3 of the Meiji
Modernization
Watch the video and answer the
following questions

1. What were the features of

Japan in the early 19
century?

2. What crisis did Japan face in

the mid-19th century?
a. Japan in the early 19th century

Political Economical
aspect aspect:

● After 1603, the Tokugawa ● In 1637, the Tokugawa Shogun

Shogun and his government introduced a policy of seclusion
(called the shogunate or (called sakoku).
bakufu) ruled Japan.
● Only a few Dutch, Korean and
● Japan was a feudal country, Chinese merchants were allowed
but the emperor was the to live and trade in Nagasaki.
ruler only in name. However, they could not contact
the Japanese population freely.
a. Japan in the early 19th century
Social aspects
● Different social classes were
discontented with the rule of the
Tokugawa Shogunate. For
example:
- The poor living condition of
Daimyos and Samurais
- Increasing taxes for peasants
- Low social status of merchants
b. Facing the challenge from foreign expansion (the US and
Europe)
The Treaty of Kanagawa
● Perry led a bigger fleet to Japan.
● To avoid war, the Shogunate signed the
Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States.
● Japan agreed to open two trading ports.

1853 1854 1858 04

The coming of Perry
● American Commodore Perry arrived in ●
Japan with four warships, and
demanded Japan open its ports to
foreign trade.
● He threatened to return with more ships
the following year.
The signing of the Ansei Treaties
Japan signed the Ansei Treaties with the
United States, Britain, France, Russia and the
Netherlands.
● It gave up some sovereignty rights in exchange
for peace.
● The policy of seclusion of the Shogunate came
to an end.
c. The Meiji Restoration

● The incapability of the Shogunate provoked civil wars

in Japan. In 1868, it was overthrown.
● Emperor Meiji was restored as head of Japan. This
event was known as the Meiji Restoration.
● The Meiji Modernization (1868-1912) was carried out to
introduce modern reforms.
 4.2
Main reform
measures
Watch the video and answer the
following questions

1. Name three reform

measures that introduced
in the Meiji Era.
Political modernization
Centralizing authority
● In 1871, the Meiji government abolished feudal
domains and feudal social classes.
● The country was then divided into prefectures.
● Officials were appointed by the central
government.

Introducing constitutional rule

● In 1898, the Meiji Constitution was proclaimed.
● It was based on the German constitution. Japan
became a constitutional monarchy.
→ It was the first Asian country to introduce
constitutional rule.
Economic modernization
Modernizing the monetary system
● The Meiji government introduced a modern monetary
system similar to that of European countries.
● In 1871, it introduced a new currency, the Yen, to replace
the previous system of coins.
● In 1882, the central bank of Japan was established.

Developing industry and commerce

● The Meiji government introduced Western
technology and supported private capitalists
(known as zaibatsu) to promote industrial and
commercial development.
Economic modernization
Improving transportation
● The Meiji government established a modern
transportation network.
● Railways were built. Western steamships, cars and
trains were introduced.

Improving communication
● The Meiji government actively developed a modern
postal system.
● It also introduced new communication tools such
as the telegraph.
Education modernization

Modernizing the education system

and Encouraging Western learning
● The Meiji government established a modern
national school system which was composed of
universities, secondary and primary schools.
● It also introduced compulsory primary
education.
● It introduced modern subjects such as science,
geography, world history, etc.
● It sent students to study abroad
 Military modernization
● The Meiji government introduced conscription.
Males over the age of 20 were required to perform
military service.
● It modelled Japan’s armed forces after the British
navy and German army.

Judicial modernization
● In 1871, the Meiji government set up the Ministry of
Justice.
● It also gradually introduced new criminal, civil and
commercial codes.
 4.3
Result and
Significance
of the Meiji
Modernization
 a. Victories in
foreign wars
● Military reforms strengthened Japan
greatly.
● - It defeated China in the First
Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)
- It defeated Russia in the
Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)
→ It was the first Asian country to defeat a
European power in modern history.
 b. Abolishing
unequal treaties
● Japan’s judicial reforms and victories in
foreign wars caused Western countries
to end their special judicial rights in
Japan.
● By the early 20th century, there were no
more unequal treaties between Japan
and Western powers.
c. Alliance with a Western country

● Japan formed the

Anglo-Japanese Alliance
with Britain in 1902.
→ It showed that Japan was
regarded as a world power by
Western powers.
 d. Expansion into Asia
● Japan became one of the colonial powers.
- In the early 1900s, Japan annexed Taiwan, the
Pescadores and South Sakhalin.
- It also annexed Korea in 1910.
- Japan invaded China several times in the first half of
the 20th century. In 1931, Japan invaded Northeast
China.