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THE MEIJI TIMES1900

Japan modernizes along Western lines

INSIDE THIS ISSUENews

Japan modernizes along Western lines

Page 2

Japan Financial Crisis

Page 3

Japan’s new fashion

A peasants view

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Exclusive interview with ex-samurai

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Issue No. SeventeenT o y k oJAPAN

T E L E P H O N E111-111-111 F A X222-222-222

Samurai on horseback

Samurai Emperor Meiji

At the enthronement of Emperor Meiji, Japans 122nd emperor the Charter Oath was unveiled. It is the first Constitution of Japan. There are 5 articles in this constitution, they are cont. on pg 2

THE MEIJI TIMES! PAGE2

JAPAN MODERNIZES ALONG

WESTERN LINES CONT

1. Deliberative assemblies shall be

widely established and all matters

decided by open discussion.

2. All classes, high and low, shall be

united in vigorously carrying out

the administration of affairs of

state.

3. The common people, no less than

the civil and military officials, shall

all be allowed to pursue their own

calling so that there may be no

discontent.

4. Evil customs of the past shall be

broken off and everything based

upon the just laws of Nature.

5. Knowledge shall be sought

throughout the world so as to

strengthen the foundation of

imperial rule.

The fifth article of the Charter Oath put

into the law that Japan would modernize

along Western lines.

The fifth article of the Charter Oath shows

that Japan would begin to Modernize along

the lines of Western countries, such as

Britain. The goals of the fifth article was to

create a “rich country” and a “strong

military”. These goals were set so that

Japan would never be at the mercy of the

Western countries. They wanted respect

and equality from the western nations. The

Constitution of 1868 was drawn up so that

the articles of the Charter Oath could be

taken into effect.

By Kanawa Yoba

The First steam train from Meiji’s goal of modernization Emperor Meiji

The Charter Oath

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FINANCIAL CRISIS IN JAPANThe Meiji government is in a severe financial crisis. After the defeat of the Shogun the cost of funding the war was very high. In 1868 the money spent by the National government equalled to 30 million yen, while the revenue was only 3 million yen. This lead to the severe inflation, and the revenue dropped. To overcome these problems the government adopted the Yen as the basic unit of currency, they also suspended the trade of Clan notes that had been issued by the Daimyo, they also adopted a banking system, and a land tax.

The Banking system was based on the American banking system. Four national banks were started in 1872 under pressure by the National government. By 1875 all the Banks were in financial trouble due to bad management, lack of co-operation and failure to compete with foreign banks and local institutions. In 1882 a European style of bank took the place of the American ones. The Bank of Japan, the first central bank was formed. It also encouraged other

specialized banks to form to finance industry agriculture and foreign trade.

In 1873 the government also set up a new land tax to help generate revenue for the government. Farmers had to pay 3% of their annual crop to the government. It became the largest source of revenue during the Meiji period, and also helped to finance it into its transition into a modern economy.

Zaibatsu were also a key part in helping solve the financial issue in Japan. Zaibatsu were individually owned companies that often grew into large industries. The most notable Zaibatsu’s were Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Yasuda, Furukawa, Kawasak i and Sumitomo.

These 3 main points were how the Japanese economy got back on its feet and help the nation become a “rich country” and have a “strong military”

By Kanawa Yoba

The Yen The Japanese stock market crashing

The Mitsubishi Logo

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Japan’s new fashion

1900’s Fashion

A peasants view on the Land tax

A Japanese farm

During the Meiji Restoration period, the government decided that Western clothes should be worn for all court and official ceremonies. the Morning coat was the standard dress for most formal occasions. Western style hair was also a big thing. The Western style was seen as a major symbolization of the Westernization in Japan

By Yukabob Onigiri

I feel that the government is taking too much of our produce. There are other ways of getting more revenue, not all of it has to come from us poor farmers. We are the lowest of the people in Japan and yet the government takes the most from us. It is very difficult to get by already without the government taking 3% of what we grow yearly. There are better methods such as taxing the rich, or giving less money to the Daimyo who should change their spending habits

By Yikabob Onigiri

We have just attained an exclusive interview with a Ex-samurai by the name of Taro

Me: What do you do everyday during the Meiji Restoration?

Samurai: I like to write poems nowbecause i have alot of free time

with Japan in peace

Me: Where does your income come from now?

Samurai: I don’t have much income, as my daimyo is used to his old lifestyle and is spending money everywhere. He is broke and the government his helping to pay for me.

Me: How do you feel about the new Charter Oath

Samurai: I feel it constricts my freedom and it has put me lower in the Social class. Now i am not allowed to wear my swords , on ly dur ing ceremonies which i feel reduces my usefulness.

Me: What is your main job now that Japan is unified?

Samurai: Usually i advise the Daimyo and help the government.

Me: What is the role of your swords nowadays?

Samurai: They are just symbolic, i have no use for them, they just show other people that i am of the Samurai class.

Me: How do you feel about the new peasant conscripted army?

Samurai: I don’t like them, because they took my job away. The government would rather use peasants then highly trained soldiers

Me: Well thats all we have time for, thank you Taro for giving us this exclusive interview with you.

By Yukabob Onigiri

InterviewEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH EX-SAMURAI