Japan in the Modern WorldThe Path to Modernity

Tokugawa Isolation and Commodore Perry

Tokugawa Japan: What was it like? Over 200 years of peace Both Daimyo and samurai become impoverished Samurai became bureaucrats Other samurai became merchants—beginning of

market economy Isolation from the rest of the world Buddhism and Confucianism are important Sankin Kotai: alternate years of residence in Edo

lead to development of roads and businesses

Threat posed by the West -- Superior guns and

arms

--Knowledge of imperialism in Asia

--imposition of unequal treaties

--business and missionary interests

Japan’s Revolution involves restoring the Emperor to direct rule “outside” daimyo lead

revolt Aim to overthrow the

Shogun and restore the emperor to power

Aim to get rid of foreigners and unequal treaties

Body of English merchant, Charles Richardson killed in Japan

British bombard Kagoshima

French mission training Shogunal troops

Alliance of Satsuma and Choshu Emperor wanted to restore his power Traditional enemies, Satsuma and Choshu

unite against the Tokugawa Both outside Hans with tradition of disliking

the shogun Rallying cry was “Sonno Joi”—restore the

emperor, expel the barbarians

The Last Shogun Yoshinobu

Satsuma Samurai plotting Restoration

Shogunal forces burning the Satsuma Palace in Edo

Saigo Takamori and the Boshin War

The revolution inaugurates an era of reform

Capital renamed Tokyo and Imperial court moves there.

Daimyo “return” land to the emperor.

Social classes abandoned, samurai disappear.

Creation of conscript army: universal conscription based on Prussian model.

Creation of navy based on English model.

Flag Adopted

Flag of Japan: the Rising Sun

Commanders in Japanese army

Japanese Navy

Meiji Restoration Everything Western becomes the fashion

Promotion of State Shinto Shinto shrines supported by the state Everyone must register in the shrine Separation from Buddhism Downplay of Buddhism

Shinto Shrine: Worship of the Emperor

Promotion of Education Charter Oath of 1868: “Knowledge shall be

sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of Imperial rule”

Creation of Western Education system: elementary, secondary and university

1972: mandatory 4 years education for all children: boys and girls

Imperial Rescript on Education on 1890 Loyalty to the emperor and the state: picture

of the emperor in each classroom Self sacrifice to the state and family Filial piety applied to family AND “national

family” including teachers, officials and employers

Taught what to think, not how to think

Imperial Rescript on Education

Problems in establishing the new system Saigo Takemori and

the Satsuma Rebellion

Saigo Takamori leads the Satsuma Rebellion Battle of Shiroyama Saigo and his army

Rule by the Oligarchs Privileged clique Believers in Kokugaku (native studies) Create conscript military Abolish four classes of society Send missions abroad such as Iwakura

Mission

Iwakura Mission Headed by Iawkura

Tomomi Twofold goal—revise

unequal treaties and learn about West

1871-1873: failed in first and succeeded in second

Road to the Meiji Constitution of 1889: Society of Patriots (Aikokusha) founded 1878 Jiyuto (Liberal Party) founded in 1881

(French model) Okuma Shigenobu founded the Constitutional

Progressive Party advocating the British system

Imperial Rule Party established in 1882

Itagaki Taisuke cerates the Society of Patriots (Aikokusha)

Okuma Shigenobu creates the Constitutional Progressive Party

Representation 1875: Osaka Conference create independent

judiciary 1878: conference of Prefectural Governors

established elected Prefectural assemblies 1880: elected assemblies in villages and towns 1880: delegates from 24 prefectures created the

League for Establishing a National Assembly.

Repression 1875: laws prohibit press criticism of

government 1880: Public Assembly Law limits public

gatherings and requires police permission for all meetings

Constitution: Gift of the Emperor to his People Imperial Diet: elected House of Representatives and

House of Peers Limited franchise: males over 25, who pay 15 yen

national taxes; about 1% of population. New Peerage created from old Daimyo and Samurai

who helped the government Diet approve legislation, initiate laws, submit

petitions to emperor Sovereignty resides with emperor

Opening Ceremony of Japanese Diet

Industrialization Japanese abroad to look at Western models Westerners hired to teach and set up modern

factories Goal: equal the West Mercantile basis: import raw materials and export

finished products Zaibatsu: government and business work together Establishment of the Bank of Japan

Textiles were Japan’s largest export industry

Inside the Tomioka Silk Reeling Mill

Road to Imperialism Conflict with China over Okinawan sailors

attacked and killed in Taiwan (1873): first expedition of new military abroad

Involvement in Korea Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95

Triple Intervention: return of Liaodong Peninsula Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905

Ryukyu Islands: Claimed by both China and Japan

The French-built Matsushima, flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the

Sino-Japanese conflict

Hall where Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed, 1895

Ito Hirobumi and Li Hongzhang: signers of Treaty of Shimonoseki

Triple intervention: Russia, France, and Germany Force Japan to return the Liaotung peninsula

to China: Port Arthur (Lushun)

Japanese troops landing in Korea during the Russo-Japanese War

Japanese troops take Port Arthur

Japanese Destroyer

Japanese gun crew

Treaty of Portsmouth: 1905 Japan lease Liaotung

Peninsula Receive south half of

Sakhalin Island Return Manchuria to

China Free hand in Korea

(exchange for US free hand in Philippines)

Annexation of Korea in 1910 as Japan’s second colony Japan disbands the Korean army

Japan officially makes Korea a colony: the Korean emperor accepts this in

Yoshihito becomes Emperor Taisho (Great righteousness) in 1912

Taisho Emperor in Military uniform In Poor Health and did

little Transfer of power to

political parties from Oligarchy: called Taisho Democracy

Emperor Taisho leading troops

Rise of Party Politics Political crisis leads to creation of

conservative party: Constitutional Association of Friends

Seiyukai Party loses power in ensuing election.

Japan in World War I Japan declares war on

Germany Japan seizes German

holding in China, and the Pacific Islands

Japan gives the Twenty-one Demands to China China to agree to

Japanese control over Qingdao and Manchuria

China cease letting foreigners have territory

Japan have control over China’s foreign policy

Japan launches Siberian Expedition with 75,000 troops Aim is to occupy Manchuria and Eastern

Siberia Last of the allied troops to withdraw in 1925 Many soldiers remain in Manchuria as

railway guards

The treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations Japan confirmed in holding ex-German

possessions in Asia Protest demonstrations and riots triggered in

China and Korea Japan joins the newly formed League of

Nations

League of Nations Headquarters in Switzerland Goals included

disarmament end of warfare settling disputes with

diplomacy and negotiation

promoting global welfare

Japan now a major player on the International Scene Recognized as one of the “big five” Allowed to keep ex-German possessions in

Pacific and China

Prosperity and problems at home Taisho Democracy-two party political system

comes of age Hara Takashi: first commoner to become

prime minister New election laws Government funded public works programs

Growing domestic problems in the midst of prosperity Inflation Influx of foreign ideas Tightly controlled economy Emerging labor movement Call for universal suffrage by students and

others Assassination of Hara in 1921 Passage of new election law in 1925

Growing despotism in the government Peace Preservation Law passed in 1925

Forbade conspiracy or revolt again Kokutai (National essence)

Criminalized socialism and communism Stressed moral obligation to make sacrifices for

the state Brutal suppression of the Communist Party

Respond with assassination attempt on Crown Prince Hirohito

Growth of Ultra nationalism and right-wing politics Patriotic and intelligence-gathering

organizations take active role in politics Foment pro war sentiments Support anti socialist and anti communist acts

Kanto Earthquake on September 1, 1923Destroyed Yokohama, Chiba, Kanagawa,

Shizuoka and Tokyo105,385 people died37,000 others missing88 fires570,000 homes destroyed1.9 million homeless1 billion US$ damage

The Great Kanto Earthquake

Hirohito: The Showa Emperor: 1926

Growing Fascism in Japan: “Japanese Nationalism” Emblem of the Imperial Navy and symbol of

Japanese Nationalism

The steps to War Ideology of Nationalism “Kokutai” Growth of Military and Naval power Government by assassination Expansion into Manchuria (Manchuguo) Leaving the League of Nations Concept of the “Greater East Asian Co-

prosperity Sphere

War in China Japanese soldiers march into Nanjing

Memorial to the Nanjing Massacre

My favorite anti-war picture

The War Continues: China fights alone

The War changes: Pearl Harbor is bombed

Southeast Asia falls: prisoners build railways

End of the War: Bombs fall on Hiroshima Hiroshima bombed on

August 6 Russia declares war on

Japan, August 8 Nagasaki bombed,

August 9 Japan surrenders,

August 14

Japanese surrender

Occupation sets seeds for Japanese economic miracle General MacArthur

Architect of the Occupation

Japan’s Economic Miracle Educational and industrial infrastructure American aid 1947 American decision to create Japan as

ally in Asia Japan’s non aggression constitution: article 9 Democracy, a new constitution Land reform

Economic miracle continued Hard work Concentrating on consumer goods for export

market Close government industry cooperation Negotiated sources of raw materials Protective legislation

Japan today: problems and stresses Falling birth rate Aging population Textbook controversy Rise of the “tigers” of Asia Economic problems Space and pollution

Baseball in Japan Tokyo Big Six

Baseball League: Waseda University beats Keio University

Sumo in Japan