Social Policies
- It is important to note that Japan was a very isolated and conservative society before the Meiji era. Therefore, the first question we must ask ourselves is - why was change needed? In reality, the goal of Japan never changed. Throughout the entire Meiji Period, they were still blinded by a dangerous sense of cultural exceptionalism and nationalism. They merely needed to advance and giving Japan the slightest bit of democracy appeared to be the answer.
1. By 1869, there was a telegraph system in place
2. By 1871, there was a postal system in place
3. By 1875, there were over 100 western style newspapers in Meiji
4. Western dress (etc. suit) was made compulsory for all government officials and postmen. This may seem trivial, however if examined closer it reveals the perspicacity of Meiji's government. I believe their aim with this policy was informed by an understanding that "changing the way people behave will change the way they think".
5. 1872 the Railway was introduced to Japan. Within 15 years, there were 1000 miles of track and by the 1900s there were 5000 miles of track stretching all the way from Senagawa to Yokohama. This is particularly significant as Japan used to be a society where wheels were banned and transportation by horse or foot was the only way around. With the railway -ideas, people and materials could be transported at an exponentially faster rate than ever before.
6. Between 1870-1874, 1/3rd of all state investment was put into the railway.
7. The traditional and rigid "Shi-No-Ko-Sho" class structure was abolished in favor of one that more resembled the western style of a three class system. The "Kazoku - Shizoko - Heimin" system was developed.
Women in Meiji Japan
- It would be erroneous to assume that the coming of the new democratic government had no impact on the women in society. Whilst the still did not have suffrage (as that was a right only granted to men), women became more and more involved in industry.
1. By 1893, there were 800,000 women working in the textile industry, mainly in silk and cotton. In fact, by 1893, the silk industry was the largest exporting industry in Japan. About 42% of all silk export (102 million pounds) came from factories in Japan.
2. In 1885, the average wage for women working in a silk factory was 4.05 yen a month whilst that for men was 6.83 yen a month.
3. Women were generally drafted into the silk/cotton industries by the owners who offered a 200-300 advance to women's families who resided mostly on farms. This was a form of bonded labour, to be paid back by between 5-7 years of manual work.
4. 12 hour working days for between 25-28 days of the month were uncommon, as quoted by the "Great Japanese Spinning Federation".
Historiography
1. Japanese Scholar Mikiso Hane asserted that "what came to prevail unrestrained exploitation of women".
Education in Meiji Japan
- A characteristic of Japan that distinguishes it from other countries is the standard achieved by the public education system. Rigorous, demanding and fostering a sense of competition, it has driven Japan to become one of the world's leading economies and innovators. The Meiji era can take partial credit for such improvements with their educational policies.
Facts:
1. In 1872, the government planned to establish 8 universities, 250 secondary schools and 53,000 elementary schools.
2. Funding for local schools came from a 10% of a surcharge on property taxes and this led to severe riots. In fact, it is estimated that roughly 2000 of the schools built were destroyed in the 1970s as a result of rioting.
3. It is estimated that 50-75% of age eligible children were not enrolled in school.
4. However, by 1905, it is estimated that there was a 98% attendance rate for boys and 93% attendance rate for girls amongst the age eligible. By 1907, 6 years of elementary education were made mandatory for all school children.
5. Most importantly however, was a recognition that education also needed to be a moral one. Hence the japanese introduced the Imperial Rescript on Education and had children memorise it up till 1945 and their defeat in WWII.
Primary Sources
1. Fukuzawa Yukichi was a writer responsible for the "self-help" literature that completely reformed the way that people thought about success and social mobility. His work preached that Japan had now become a meritocratic society where through a proper education anyone would be able to achieve success. He writes "God did not create one man above another. Any distinctions between the wise and stupid, the rich and poor, comes down to a matter of education"
2. Social Commentator Tsuda Mamichi said, "Transport must rank ahead of the military systems and building schools". He recognised the tremendous potential of the railway to advance Japanese society from its previous feudal system.