JAPAN’S N e w s l e t t e r

-Unprecedented Victory Over

The Chinese

-Inside this Issue

Page 1

-Lifestyle: Western Fashion on

the Rise

-Another Super Power Defeated

Page 2

-Editorial Section: 1868

Constitution; Not as Promising

as Advertised

Page 3

-Interview: Emperor Meiji Looks to Create a Workable Constitution

Page 4

~Inside This Issue~

When the Japanese decided to go head on against the Chinese, who knows what they were thinking? And when the Imperial Japanese Navy sunk

the Chinese reinforcement ship resulting in war between the two nations, who could have predicted the winner? Believe

it or not, as the Japanese ships return home, the soldiers bring news of victory against China. This conflict began when

the Japanese began showing extreme interest in Korea, however, Korea was under the control of China at the time. To solve this problem, in 1876, Japanese

ships arrived in Korean waters and used bullying tactics (similar to the tactics used by Commodore Perry against Japan) to

get Korea to sign the Treaty of Kanghwa. This tactic was successful, and Korea agreed to sign the treaty. With the

treaty signed, Japan now recognized Korea as an independent state and Korea opened three of its ports for trade. Then, in 1894, a rebellion of

the Tong Hak Society broke out in

Korea. At this, both Japan and China sent troops to stop the rebellion. However, when the Chinese and Japanese troops arrived, the rebellion was

already over. The forces of both nations refused to withdraw their troops from Korea, thus leading to a stalemate. Later

on, Ito Hirobumi (Prime Minister of Japan) demanded changes to Korea’s government. China refused this order,

which left the Japanese troops no choice but to storm the Korean king’s palace to force him to declare independence from the Chinese (July 23, 1894). The Chinese

then sent a troopship called the Kowshing, but it was instantly destroyed by the Japanese Navy, causing a state of

war to be formed between Korea and China. At this time, Japan was a small nation, whereas China was a super power

of the world. This is why the rest of the world was so shocked when the Japanese turned out victorious in this war. Finally, after the Massacre at Port Arthur, the war

was over when on April 17, 1895, the

Unprecedented Victory Over The Chinese

From 1868-1912

Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed. This treaty states the following; China must recognize Korea as being independent and the Liaotung Peninsula, Formosa, Pescadores Islands given to

Japan. Also, 4 Chinese ports were opened for trade, China gave most-favored nation rights to Japan, and China had to pay Japan 200 million

taels.

The chickens are Japan and China.

The bear is the rest of the world

By Daniel Lee

This map shows where some of the fighting

occurred during the Russo-Japanese War.

ANOTHER SUPER POWER DEFEATED

Suits as well as other Western clothing, are becoming more and more popular

So soon after defeating one of the world’s super powers (China), Japan wages war against yet another super power; Russia, and turns out victorious. Japan is now gaining a reputation in the world as having a very formidable military as

well as an impressive navy. But why did Japan risk open war against the powerful nation of Russia? Read further to find the reasons.

Previously, after the Triple Intervention of Russia, France, and Germany forced Japan out of the Liaotung Peninsula, the Russians forced China to give them a 25 year lease on the land.

The Russians then extended the Chinese Eastern Railway so that it extended all the way into Dairen and Port Arthur. This action worried the Japanese because they wanted to protect their interests in Korea, however, the Japanese were unable to fight

the Russians without support. This need for support was fulfilled when the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was formed. This alliance had many provisions, the most important of them was that

Britain agreed to recognize Japan’s interest in Korea and that they would take necessary actions to protect these interests if they were threatened by another power, which in this case is

Russia. The actual fighting began on February 8, 1904, after the Russians had refused to recognize Japan’s interests in Korea, so the Japanese decided to take Korea by force. Japan attacked Russian forces on land and at sea, and both sides suffered many

losses. Eventually, Japan turned out as the winner and the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed to end the Russo-Japanese War.

Lifestyle: Western Fashion on the Rise Even to someone who does not have access to economic statistics, it is

obvious that in these first two decades of the Meiji Period, Western fashion

is becoming popular in Japan. You only need to look around on the streets

of Tokyo to realize that Western fashion is now on the rise. Every way you

glance you can see that most people are no longer wearing silk kimonos,

but are dressed in Western dresses and morning coats. Even the traditional

topknots (which are most common amongst the samurai) are being

replaced by Western hairstyles. Also, the Western pastime of ballroom

dancing is becoming so popular in Japan that a two story building called

the Rokumeikan is being opened in 1883 to hold dances every Sunday.

By Matsumi Harumoto

Editorial Section: 1968 Constitution; Not as Promising as Advertised

By Shibari Geseki

When our nation’s first constitution was created in June 1968, everyone I

knew (including myself) was pretty

excited about it. What was there to not be excited about? Under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, most of our lives were only getting worse and worse.

With the shogun being bullied into signing unequal treaties with the Westerners, most of us Japanese were

beginning to realize that our leader was weak and incapable of digging us out of the terrible hole that we were stuck in.

So when Emperor Meiji gained power and began the Meiji Restoration, we were all expecting many things to change, and we assumed that the

Constitution would only make things better. Well, the intention of this Constitution to create a centralized government in Japan was clearly a good

idea, however, it did not meet certain needs of Japan. This constitution did not give us a modern constitution or a

parliament, which is what us Japanese were all hoping for. Therefore, this Constitution was hurriedly abandoned,

leaving my fellow Japanese and I a feeling of utter disappointment.

The Rokumeikan Dance Hall!!!(Opening 1883 in Tokyo)

Are you a fan of ballroom

dancing? Then come to the

Rokumeikan Dance Hall on

Opening Day to enjoy the most

luxurious ballroom dancing

experience of your life!!!

Don’t wait! Call 1-800-BLLRM to Pre-Order

your Opening Day Dance ticket today!!!

INTERVIEW: EMPEROR MEIJI LOOKS TO CREATE A WORKABLE

CONSTITUTION

Here I am with Emperor Meiji and I’m feeling very fortunate to get this chance to ask him a few questions. Let’s begin.

Question: Personally, what do

you think was the biggest

problem with the Constitution

of 1868?It is difficult for me to give you an answer of my personal belief about this situation. It is obvious what the

problem with the Constitution is, so it would be selfish if I tried speculating other possibilities instead of dealing

with the true problem: the Constitution does not provide our nation with a modern constitution

and a national parliament.

Furthermore, it has failed to gain support of the Japanese people.

Question: Many Japanese are

anxious about the future of

their country. After this failed

constitution, what do you plan

to do?After the disastrous results of the

Constitution of 1968, I know that I must take steps to fulfill the needs of my people. The newly created Senate

is currently discussing this matter, and one official has already created a promising draft constitution that will

provide Japan with a modern constitution and a national parliament. My fellow Japanese, I

promise that by the year 1890, a new parliament will be formed.

Question: Who is this official

and what is his plan?This official’s name is Ito Hirobumi and I have confidence in his political ideas; he was a prime minister four

times. Ito travelled outside of the country to study the constitutional systems of other countries so that he

could see which one would best suit Japan’s needs. After he returned in 1883, he told me that the best system

for Japan would be a constitutional government that was ruled by an emperor; which in this case is myself. He said that this government is based

on the Prussian Parliamentary System