Victorious over RussiansBy: Andy Lin Japan beat the largest nation in the world in a war. Japan attacked Russia on 8 February 1904. This decision was made so that Japan could win control of Korea at all costs. Japan navy destroyed Russian fleets and were also victorious on the land. This war went on for more than a year and was ended by the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth.

The Russo-Japanese war took place in Korea and Manchuria. Japan troops driven out Russia troops in Korea during a span of over three months. Japanese troops suffered heavy losses but kept on moving northern in Manchuria. Japan capture Port Arthur and Mukden City after a five month siege. Meanwhile, Japan’s navy, led by Admiral Togo, routed the Russian navy in Strait of Tsushima. This war led to a great outcome for the Japanese which shocked the entire world. With barely any help, Japan, the tiny nation defeated Russia in a

DAILY JAPAN ISSUE NO. 17

Inside the Issue

pg. 1

Victorious Over Russia..................................................................................................pg. 1Russo-Jap War Map......................................................................................................pg.2Editorial- Education.......................................................................................................pg. 3New Constitution Creates New Power Nation...............................................................pg. 3Rebellion In Korea.........................................................................................................pg. 3Interview with the Financial Advisor of Meiji- Ichiro Kohjima.........................................pg. 4Life Style - Fashion, Western Fashion in Japan............................................................pg. 4

war. Japan not only gained reputation, but also was benefited by the treaty that ended the war, The Treaty of Portsmouth. Due to the treaty, Japan gain control over Liaotung Peninsula, the southern Manchurian Railway and the southern half of the island of Sakhalin. More importantly Russia also recognized Japans interest in Korea.

This was the second major war that Japan won. First was against the Chinese in the Sino-Japanese war.

Political Cartoon of Japan fighting against Russia

Map of Russo-Jap War. It shows the route of Japanese and Russians military movement

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NEW Constitution CreatesNEW POWER NATION

EDITORIAL SECTION

EDUCATION By: Roronoa zoro When I was still a child, my family didn’t want me to go to school, but instead forced me to stay at home and work. It wasn’t until my mother Married a wealthy man after my dad died s o i c o u l d h a v e p r o p e r schooling. I am one of the really fortunate ones. Ordinary people only learned to write, read and the abacus. In 1971, our highness- meiji decided to change the policy so that every child is eligible of going to school. Every single one of us Japanese has to go to at least 4 years of primary school. This was an excellent move by the meiji government. More people could be proper educated and there is going to be a brighter future for us and the generations exceeding us. My son is seven years old, even though i am not wealthy, he is able to at least go to school for 4 years. And if he does well in his school, he might able to move on to middle school, or even high schoo. We m u s t t h a n k s t h e M e i j i government for this policy c h a n g e . T h i s c h a n g e o f education provided since 1971 is definitely going to benefit our whole country. Our economy and world reputation is going to grow because of this policy. I truly believe that changing our education was a smart thing to do. People get educated, they get smarter. People get smarter, our country wil l get more powerful. All of us citizens should be thankful towards our government and do the best we can for our beloved country.

By: Andy Lin On 11 February 1889, Emperor Meiji handed down a written constitution to Prime Minister Count Kuroda. It was the second constitution that Japan used. The Meiji Constitution was a constitution that operated under an absolute monarch or emperor. The Mei j i Constitution was a Prussian (German) based system while the first one was a British based constitution. The first constitution, or the ‘Constitution of 1868’ was a failure. Although it was effective in the early years but it was opposed by different groups since it failed to deal with two problems: it did not provide Japan with a modern constitution and a national parliament that would earn western respect and the support of the citizens. In 1875, the oligarchs recognized the problems in the Osaka agreement. It called for a creation of a constitutional government in gradual stages and senate was appointed to draft out the constitution. Between 1876 and 1878, the senate prepared four draft constitutions which were too liberal for the oligarchs. Which all of the oligarchs later on submit their own views. Okuma Shigenobu failed to have same thoughts with the other oligarchs and was forced out of the government. Ito Hirobumi became the architect of Japan’s second constitution. Under Ito’s direction, Hermann Roesler, a German, helped to complete the new German based Meiji Constitution. It gave Japan western respect and had the Japanese’s support.

We now declare to respect and protect the security of the rights and of the property of Our people, and to secure to them the complete enjoyment of the same, within the extent of the provisions of the present Constitution and of the law -Joyu

Rebellion in KoreaBy: Andy Lin The Tong Hak society from Korea rebelled against the government of the King of Korea in the year of 1894. The rebellion broke out in southern Korea and the rebellion lasted for a year. China and Japan both send troops to aid Korea. When they arrived, Tong Hak Rebellion was already been put down by Korean forces. Tong Hak society wished to preserve their ‘Eastern Learning’ and get rid of foreign influences, including the Japanese. Now, Tong Hak society is wept out, but Japan and China troops remain in Korea. pg. 3

Document of the Constitutions with the Seal

Picture of Korean Tong Hak society soldiers cheering and shouting before the war.

FASHION- Western Fashion in Japan

LIFE STYLE SECTION

Interview with the Financial

Advisor of Meiji

ICHIRO KOHJIMAby: Kenshin MatsuzakaMatsuzaka: Economy played a huge role in Japan during the Meiji restoration. It was a key factor for Japan’s success. Today we are going to talk about the economy and what changed in Japan’s the economy. Joining me is Ichiro Kohijima, the financial advisor of Meiji. Great honor to see you, Mr. Kohijima.Kohjima: Pleasure to meat you.Matsuzaka: Mr. Kohijima, can you tell us what were some big changes that happened during the meiji restoration in terms of economics?Kohjima: During the Meiji restoration, we did make some big changes. First of all was to adopt yen as the unit of currency. It replaced over clan notes that was used between clans. We also created a centralized European banking system, which replaced the original american style banks. It controlled the nations banking system. One other major change was the introduction of the new land tax. Farmers had to pay 3 per cent of their crop to the government annually. In 1876, we reduced it into 2.5 percent.Matsuzaka: Why was it necessary to create a european style bank instead of American style bank?Kohjima: It is simple, the american bank system does not work in Japan. We had four american style banks but it all ended up in serious financial troubles due to poor management, no cooperation and they couldn’t compete with foreign and local banks. So we had to change our bank system.

Matsuzaka: Besides the enforcement of the banking system, which change between adoption of currency and the new land tax that benefitted Japan more?Kohjima: You know, that is a tough question. Both strengthened Japan’s economy. The setting of the basic unit of currency helped the economy since that merchants could now easily trade, since the value of the currency is the same. The new form of taxation definitely helped the economy. Think about it, 3 per cent from every farmer, that is a lot of crops. The new taxation helped to ease the burden of the huge amount of public spending on industry. Both of the changes helped Japan a lot, it is really hard to tell which one did more. Matsuzaka: Thanks for your time, Mr. KohjimaKohjima: Thank you.

pg. 4

Ichiro Kohjima in his house

Guess what is the latest fashion trend in Japan? Yep, it is the western style clothing that caught most of the attention. Before the Meiji Period, the dress of the social classes were strictly controlled. Even though all classes wore traditional Japanese clothes, but the materials that made the clothes for higher classes are better than the ones from the lower classes. This all changed. In 1872, the government that western dresses should be worn for all court and official ceremonies. The cutaway or “morning coat” became the official dress

for formal occasions. Men were to wear western suit and hats. Women were to western skirts and dresses instead of traditional Japanese kimonos. Besides the clothing, western accessories, such as watches also became the top seller. Not only things that you wear became popular, western haircuts also shocked the whole Japan. Instead of the topknots, there were hundreds of new hairstyles in replace. The younger generation liked the new western hairstyles a lot, and it became a symbol of westernization. Even though the majority loved the new hairstyles, samurais in Japan hated it. Most of the samurais failed to change their hairstyle and remained having a topknot. They thought that cutting their topknots were not respecting their ancestors, which are also samurais. Even though samurais oppose against all the clothes and hair changes, the wave of western fashion still had a huge hit in Japan. Western clothing and hairstyles remained as the top choice for Japanese when they are buying clothes or getting a new haircut.