In 1868, after the Meiji Restoration, Japan started to industrialise rapidly. The first few steps in the Japanese Industrial Revolution include revolutionising the light industry and boosting its communication and transportation networks by the end of the century.

Ships, Trains, and Telegraph Wires

• In order to foster capitalism in Japan, the Meiji Government started to focus on introducing and promoting various forms of industries. During this time, one major step was to sweep away the feudal system of post stations, internal checkpoints, and merchant guilds. Once the infrastructure was constructed, the telegraph service came into the picture. In 1859, the first telegraph line was established between Tokyo and Yokohama. Nearly five years later, the line was set up between Nagasaki to Hokkaidō; later, an undersea line was added to connect Nagasaki to Shanghai further
• In 1871, the former courier system was replaced by a modern postal service; however, the post offices were all around the city, making communication much easier. To link its postal services to the world, Japan became a member of the Universal Postal Union in 1877. Later, in the same year, it imported its first telephones
• In 1872, the first-ever rail started between Tokyo and Yokohama. The route was heavily influenced by British assistance as they supplied finance and the chief engineer Edmund Morel. Later in 1874, another route was set up linking Kobe to Osaka, which further connected Kyoto in 1877
• The Government invested millions of dollars in upgrading the country’s roads to enable smooth transportation
• In order to upgrade the Japanese shipping culture, Mitsubishi made many efforts which ultimately brought results. Special privileges to specific organisations were one way the Meiji leaders aimed to foster the modern industry. Some of the companies which hugely benefited from these privileges were Mitsui and Ono
• During the Japanese Industrial Revolution, the Japanese Government took considerable steps to establish several factories in fields like agriculture, light industry, and the development of industries. These were Shinagawa Glass Factory, Sapporo Brewery, Aichi Spinning Mill, and Fukagawa Cement Works. Out of all, the most popular one was built in 1932, known as Tomioka Silk Mill. It incorporated 300 silk reeling machines specially imported from France. To start the production, technicians were hired, and Japanese workers were trained, mainly female. In their turn, these workers passed their knowledge to mills across the country

Industrial Revolution and Capitalism

• In 1877, the Home Ministry organised the first Domestic Industrial Exposition at Ueno Park. There were going to be four more such expositions in the coming years. The inspirations were taken from world’s fair events in various countries which promoted trading and modern industries
• Eighty-four thousand products were initially displayed in six categories, including agriculture, machinery, and horticulture. It attracted nearly 4,50,000 visitors within 102 days, which made a huge remark during the Japanese Industrial Revolution
• In the first half of the 1880s, Matsukata Masayoshi, the Minister of Finance in Japan, announced deflation policies where the prices of agricultural products were set up and many farmers went bankrupt, yet some people were hugely benefited by buying cheap agricultural land from people who were “parasite landlords”. It helped them reap large profits. From 1886 to 1889, industries in Japan boomed
• Silk reeling, Spinning, and other light industries soon started to thrive. Osaka, A private Spinning Mill, included several British-made spinning mules and steam-powered production. In order to produce 24 hours, employees started to work in double shifts and allowed huge production of cotton each day. Incidentally, many of these workers working day and night were the children of farms who were victims of deflation policies. Since it was easier and cheaper to produce yarn, people saw potential profits involved and started to set up yarn companies all around Japan. By the late 19th century, Japan’s industrial revolution was proven successful. In 1868, the country had established a capitalist economy

Roots of Modernization

• During 1868–1912 also known as the early Meiji era, Japan established modernisation
• People started learning how to read and write in local schools. Apart from the light industry, other industries such as the publishing and education industry flourished rapidly, leading to further improvements. An advanced form of maths was developed by Japanese people called wasan. It was recorded that Japan imparts the world’s best primary education
• Matthew Perry, the US Commodore, wanted to showcase the benefits of civilization to the Japanese after signing Amity and the Treaty of Peace in 1854
• Just a year later, in 1855, the first-ever steam train was built by the domain of Saga in Japan. However, the Satsuma domain produced the trail steam engines, and Uwajima constructed a steamship
• Due to the Japanese industrial Revolution, Japan started to modernise at a rapid speed and quickly matched the technology of the West. After analysing the prevailing potential, Perry suggested that in the coming years, the Japanese would enter as a powerful economy in the field of mechanism
• After the Meiji Restoration, Japan’s massively developed Edo-period education system hugely contributed to this swift turn to a capitalist economy and industrialization. Later, Japan was positioned at the top of the world’s economy

Conclusion

To uplift the Japanese industry, cases like the Tomioka Silk Mill and railways show how academics and Western technicians hired by the Japanese Government significantly contributed. Nearly 3000 foreign specialists were welcomed in Japan, out of which over 500 were already present during 1876, which was also the peak year of the Japanese Industrial revolution. Since these people had abundant knowledge, they were paid a considerable sum.