Japan Industrial Revolution

In this article we study about Japan Industrial Revolution and its impact, Japan during the late 19th century, the Tokugawa Shogunate policy, Reforms of the Meiji era, & the twin policies.

Securing Sole Control

The Meiji Government was established in 1871 post the Meiji era. There were political wills and military forces led by 270 domains in a decentralized power. It was quite evident that the Government needs to establish a sole political power in land to start the construction of a modern state. This issue was later resolved by the Meiji leaders

One of their deepest concerns was that Japan might transform into a colony operating under the powers of a sole leader. This was designated to Southeast Asia and India, however, in 1842, after the first opium war, China forcefully yielded Hong Kong to Britain. Consequently, people started to believe there was an urgent need to take considerable steps towards modernization such as building infrastructure, strengthening economic conditions, and reinforcing the military

After this, many of the leaders and other significant officials in Japan decided to launch the Iwakura Mission. The Iwakura mission was a journey of observation to Europe and the United States. This mission also included students and children who hugely contributed to the country’s modernization

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 further connect Nagasaki to Shanghai. In 1871, the former courier system was replaced by a modern postal service; however, the post offices were all around the city which made 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 were supplying finance along with the chief engineer Edmund Morel. Later in the year, 1874, another route was set up linking Kobe to Osaka, which further connected Kyoto in 1877. During the end of the century, rail lines were spread all over Japan contributing to the Japan Industrial Revolution

The Government invested millions of dollars to upgrade the country’s roads to enable smooth transportation

In order to upgrade the Japanese shipping culture, Mitsubishi made a lot of efforts which ultimately brought results. Providing special privileges to specific organizations was one of the ways 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 Japan Industrial Revolution, the Japanese Government took considerable steps to establish several factories in fields like agriculture, light industry, and the development of private industries

Some of 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

To uplift the Japanese industry, cases like the Tomioka Silk Mill and railways show how academics and Western technicians hired by the Japanese Government greatly 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 Japan Industrial Revolution. Since these people had an abundance of knowledge, they were paid a huge sum

In 1877, the first Domestic Industrial Exposition was organized by the Home Ministry at Ueno Park. In the coming years, there were going to be 4 more such expositions. The inspirations were taken from world’s fair events in various countries which promoted trading and modern industries

84,000 products were initially displayed in six different categories, including agriculture, machinery, and horticulture. It attracted nearly 4,50,000 visitors within 102 days which made a huge remark during the Japan 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, the Japan 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 modernization

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 at a rapid speed leading to further improvements. An advanced form of math 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 trail steam engines were produced by the Satsuma domain and Uwajima constructed a steamship

Due to the Japan industrial Revolution, Japan started to modernize 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 era of Restoration, Japan’s massively developed Edo-period education system of the Tokugawa Shogunate swiftly turned into a capitalist economy and industrialization. Later, Japan was positioned at the top of the world’s economy and huge success was enjoyed by bank of Japan

Conclusion

The Japan Industrial Revolution contributed greatly to Japan’s capitalism and economical as well as industrial growth. It also marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate policy of Japan’s military system (that controlled the Government and the Daimyo) of the Edo period (from 1603 to 1868). The Meiji era brought forth ideas and concepts that later led to the Japan Industrial Revolution. The adoption of twin policies also came to an end.